Rafael Nadal: Davis Cup opponent’s ‘crazy’ admission about ending Spaniard’s career
Rafael Nadal’s impending Davis Cup opponent has admitted he would go “crazy” if he thought too much about being the Spaniard’s last opponent.
Former world No 1 and 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal is retiring at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga this week and is set to be in singles action for his country.
Spain plays the Netherlands in their quarter-final on Tuesday, with the 38-year-old set to take on Botic van de Zandschulp in the opening match of their last eight encounter.
And, speaking to Marca ahead of the Davis Cup, van de Zandschulp revealed he was trying not to think about the possibility of ending the all-time great’s career.
He said: “It is true that everyone will be following our tie, but if Spain wins they will still have to play more, so it is not really known when Nadal’s last match as a professional will be.
“Of course, I have thought about that possibility [of it being Nadal’s last match], although I try not to think about it too much because I think I would go crazy.
“I hope I can face him, I really want to. I remember that we have played twice before.
“He was always my idol as a child and I used to watch his matches on television. It would be a real pleasure to be the last one to face him.”
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Nadal and van de Zandschulp have played each other twice, with both meetings coming in 2022.
Nadal beat the Dutchman in straight sets in the third round of the French Open, on his way to his 22nd and last major title, before also defeating him in the fourth round of Wimbledon that summer.
And, van de Zandschulp admitted he was left almost starstruck by observing the former world No 1’s aura first-hand in Paris – the city Nadal triumphed in a record 14 times.
He added: “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 was someone with a different character, with an aura that few have.”
Van de Zandschulp will be familiar to most, thanks to his stunning upset over Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open earlier this season.
The Dutchman will look to break Spanish hearts once again by beating Nadal on home turf before Alcaraz takes to court to face Dutch No 1 Tallon Griekspoor.
