Botic van de Zandschulp poised to be Nadal’s final rival in Davis Cup farewell: “He was always my idol as child”
ATP
Botic van
de Zandschulp could face Rafael Nadal at the Davis Cup Finals, where the
22-time Grand Slam champion will retire next week. The Dutch player recently
told Marca that he doesn’t want to "get crazy" about being part of
Nadal’s farewell.
The
38-year-old Spaniard was called up for the Davis Cup in September by team
captain David Ferrer, shortly before announcing his plans to end his career at
this final tournament representing Spain. Ferrer reportedly asked Nadal to
prepare for the opening singles match against Van de Zandschulp.
However,
the captain has not confirmed that Nadal will play singles, stating he wants to
evaluate him closely during training in Malaga. Nadal himself said he wouldn’t
risk playing singles unless he feels capable of winning. With a few days of
training behind them, Ferrer's decision is imminent. If Nadal doesn’t play
singles, he will still have a farewell match in doubles.
“It is true
that everyone will be following our tie, but if Spain wins, they will still
have to play more, so it’s not clear when Nadal’s last professional match will
be,” commented Dutch No. 2 Van de Zandschulp in a recent interview with Marca.
“Of course, I have thought about that possibility, but I try not to think too
much about it because I think I would go crazy.
“I hope I
can face him; I really want to. I remember we’ve played twice before. He was
always my idol as a child, and I used to watch his matches on TV. It would be a
real pleasure to be the last one to face him,” he added.
Van de
Zandschulp faced Nadal twice back in 2022 at Roland Garros and Wimbledon,
losing on both occasions. “It was when we played at Roland Garros two years
ago. I saw him in the locker room, and the way he walked, you could tell he had
a different character, an aura that few have.”
The
Netherlands team is led by Tallon Griekspoor, who will face Carlos Alcaraz in
the second singles match. The series will be played on November 19 (two singles
and a doubles match, if necessary), with the winner advancing to face Germany
or Canada.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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