Rafael Nadal's potential last opponent fears going 'crazy' over retirement match

Rafael Nadal will retire at the Davis Cup Finals

Rafael Nadal could play the final match of his career on Tuesday as Spain take on the Netherlands at the Davis Cup Finals. The 22-time Major champion will retire at the World Cup of men’s tennis next week. He has yet to commit to playing singles but, if he does, Nadal has been told to prepare to face Botic van de Zandschulp. And the Spaniard’s potential rival has stressed that he doesn’t want to go “crazy” thinking about being part of Nadal’s retirement match.

Nadal was named in Spain’s squad for the Davis Cup Finals back in September. It later emerged that team captain David Ferrer had asked the 38-year-old to be ready to face Dutchman Van de Zandschulp in the first singles rubber. The former world No. 1 later announced that the team tournament would be the last of his career, confirming his retirement plans in an emotional video statement. Nadal arrived in Malaga on Thursday to start practising on the court used for the tournament. The Spaniard has repeatedly stated that he won’t play a singles match unless he believes he can help his team win. But van de Zandschulp knows that, if Nadal does feel ready, their match will draw plenty of attention. “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,” the world No. 81 told Marca ahead of their quarter-final.

Botic van de Zandschulp could be Rafael Nadal's last opponent

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Although the Dutchman is well aware that he could be Nadal’s last-ever opponent, he doesn’t want to think about it. He added: “Of course I have thought about that possibility, 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.” Van de Zandschulp has only faced Nadal twice, coincidentally at two Grand Slam tournaments in 2022 - the French Open and Wimbledon. He lost both matches. Recalling their first meeting, the 29-year-old said: “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.”

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