Rafael Nadal today plays what could be his final match as a tennis professional as Spain face the Netherlands in the Davis Cup.
The 22-time major champion takes to the court in the “World Cup of tennis” on Tuesday, when he will take on world No. 80 Botic van de Zandschulp in Malaga.
Although it is not yet clear whether Nadal would play in the semifinals or final should Spain progress, the 38-year-old has already confirmed that this week will mark his final farewell to the sport after a professional career spanning more than two decades.
Nadal’s contest precedes what is likely to be a showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Tallon Griekspoor, and a doubles match to decide the tie if the aggregate score is 1-1 after those singles matches.
The Jugo Mobile is following the match live, providing score updates and commentary
Rafael Nadal live score vs. Botic van de Zandschulp
| Set 1 | Set 2 | |
| Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp) | 6 | — |
| Spain (Rafael Nadal)* | 4 | — |
*denotes server
Rafael Nadal live updates, highlights from Spain vs. Netherlands Davis Cup quarterfinal match
Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp) *6-4 Spain (Rafael Nadal)
Nadal’s groundstrokes just aren’t quite there at the moment. Van de Zandschulp pulls out the backhand pass again. At 30-0, Nadal returns into the top of the net. Three set points… oh, that’s a wild backhand down the line. 40-15. But Nadal can’t get this return in and the Netherlands take the first set.
Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp) 5-4 Spain (Rafael Nadal)*
Oh, now then. Van de Zandschulp times a delicate service return winner for 15-30. Nadal tries the serve-volley gambit, it doesn’t work and he must save two break points. Into a rally, big ground strokes and Van de Zandschulp nets. Break point two, more muscular jousting. Nadal goes to Van de Zandschulp’s lesser-spotted backhand and he makes the cross-court pass! First blood to the Netherlands! Van de Zandschulp will serve for the first set.
Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp)* 4-4 Spain (Rafael Nadal)
Van de Zandschulp is called for a foot fault and looks about as impressed as you’d expect. Again he finds joy pushing Nadal deep in the backhand court though 30-15 and then an ace. Nadal reduces the deficit and Van de Zandschulp dumps a serve into the net. Nadal knows this could be a big moment and is all over this point, typically tenacious and Botic can’t get a forehand back over. He regroups to gain the advantage. Oh, this is a saucy little point. Nadal retrieves a smash and brings Van de Zandschulp into the net but the Dutchman is then able to backpedal and thunder an overhand winner.
Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp) 3-4 Spain (Rafael Nadal)*
Nadal gives Van de Zandschulp a look at a second serve but he nets. Same again at 30-0 and this time, despite Nadal getting into a good position in the rally, his foe completes the passing shot. Another very nicely constructed point brings us to 30-30. An ace bang on the line edges Nadal in front again. He can’t manage to nail another first serve though and Van de Zandchulp cramps him for room on the backhand side. Deuce. Return into the net, Rafa roars. He then takes a towel to tidy up where he’s been swearing all over the course before winning the point to get out of the game.
Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp)* 3-3 Spain (Rafael Nadal)
One of those scampering baseline volleys to get the shoes squeaking indoors. Nadal nets. Oh, and that’s a glorious backhand cross court from Van de Zandschulp for 30-0. Now the Dutchman has game point but he goes wide after a punchy Nadal return. An ace takes any more out that out of the equation for the time being.
Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp) 2-3 Spain (Rafael Nadal)*
Nadal clips a lovely forehand down the line and Van de Zandschlup nets. He roars “VAMOS!” and his adoring public respond in kind. He powers through to a love hold of his own. The serve clocking a little quicker now, the action smoother.
Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp)* 2-2 Spain (Rafael Nadal)
Van de Zandschulp races into a 40-0 lead . Nadal doesn’t appear to be reading his serve at all. Take the faults out of the equation and suddenly the Dutchamn’s serve is a different proposition. It’s a hold to love.
Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp) 1-2 Spain (Rafael Nadal)*
Nice serve into the body from Nadal to get off and running in his game before Van de Zandschulp wins the next point nicely on the forehand. Nice change of pace there and Nadal nets. 15-30. First serve pings off the net cord and lands out. From the second, Van de Zandschulp over-commits early in the rally and goes long. More poor shot selection as the world No. 80 neglects to take on a volley and goes long with a lob. Nadal tidies up from there. That’s two holds, albeit with moments of encouragement for his opponent.
Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp)* 1-1 Spain (Rafael Nadal)
Nadal creams a trademark forehand down the line for 15-15. The wall of noise inside the arena every time he wins a point is ridiculous. That polite smattering of applause tells you it ‘s 40-15 to Van de Zandschulp, who double faults. And another serve into he net. A second double, for deuce. Another fault, oh Botic… He’s apologetically gets a serve in. We’re into baseline trading and the Dutchman prevails for advantage. Nadal hits a service return into the net, perhaps surprised that a first serve landed in.
Netherlands (Botic van de Zandschulp) 0-1 Spain (Rafael Nadal)*
Nadal gets the first serve of the match in but it’s pretty tentative, middle of the box. Van de Zandschulp times his attack well coming into the net and wins the first point, dispatching a backhand volley cross court. Now Rafa is on the board, but Van de Zandschulp pushes him back and he nets a forehand. 15-30. That’s more like as Nadal dominates from the backhand wing to level up again. He serve volley’s successfully to get to game point. Old dog, new tricks? Nadal wraps up the game with his best serve so far. Van de Zandschulp puts some snow on it and Rafa clatters the winner.
Warmups done. Here we go. Nadal to serve
2 mins before match start: Now the anthem we were all here for: the fans are hollering “RAFA, RAFA, RAFA!”
5 mins before match start: The squads are out on the court and it’s time for the national anthems. This is a home rubber for Nadal and Spain but there is definitely a voluble Dutch presence in the arena.
15 mins before match start: The players are due on court shortly. But what of the would-be party pooper, the man on the other side of the net? Botic van de Zandschulp could very well be the answer to a staple general knowledge question a couple of hours from now. The 29-year-old is ranked 80 in the world at present and has a win/loss record of 16-25 in 2024. He reached a kareer high ranking of 29 in 2022.
1 hour before match start: Of course, the hope for many fans across the world is that Nadal wins today and Spain are able to rumble on in their Davis Cup bid, stretching this “last dance” out a little further. Nevertheless, people are understandably keen to line up their warm words. None more so than Roger Federer, Rafa’s greatest rival. And, well, it’s all just very beautiful.
Vamos, @RafaelNadal!
As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.
Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I…
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 19, 2024
1 hr 30 mins before match start: This could be it — the final professional tennis match Rafael Nadal ever plays. We’re not sure if he might yet be involved again should Spain progress to the semifinals, but today feels like a moment to say goodbye. And nobody has said it better than Roger Federer.
— Joe Wright (@JoeWright004) November 19, 2024
What time is Rafael Nadal Davis Cup match vs. Botic van de Zandschulp?
This match is scheduled to be the first of the Davis Cup tie between the Netherlands and Spain. It is due to start at approximately 5 p.m. local time in Malaga, Spain.
Here is how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Tues, Nov. 19 | 11:00 a.m. ET |
| Canada | Tues, Nov. 19 | 11:00 a.m. ET |
| UK | Tues, Nov. 19 | 4:00 p.m. GMT |
| Australia | Weds, Nov. 20 | 3:00 a.m. AEDT |
| India | Tue, Nov 19 | 9:30 p.m. IST |
Rafael Nadal vs. Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup match live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch this Davis Cup match in some of the major territories:
United States:
TV channel: Tennis ChannelLive stream: Fubo, Tennis Channel
Spain’s match against the Netherlands at the Davis Cup Finals 2024 will be available for TV broadcast in the US on Tennis Channel.
Fans in the U.S. can stream the matches live on Fubo and Tennis Channel.
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Canada:
TV channel: TVA Sports (French)Live stream: TVA Sports Direct (French), CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, CBC Sports YouTube channel
The Davis Cup Finals 2024 will be available for TV broadcast in French language in Canada on TVA Sports.
Fans in Canada can stream matches in French language on TVA Sports Direct. English commentary is available on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, or CBC Sports’ YouTube channel.
Australia:
The Davis Cup Finals 2024 will be available for TV broadcast in Australia on 9Gem.
Fans in Australia can stream the matches live on beIN Sports and 9Now.
India:
- TV channel: Star Sports Network
- Live stream: Sony LIV, JioTV
This year’s Davis Cup finals will be broadcast on TV on the Star Sports Network.
Live streams are available via Sony LIV and JioTV.
UK:
- TV channel: Tennis Channel, BBC Sport
- Live stream: Tennis Channel, BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer
The Davis Cup Finals 2024 will be available for TV broadcast in the UK on Tennis Channel and BBC Sport.
Fans in the UK can stream the matches live on Tennis Channel, the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.
