The gaze wandered back and forth, and the eyes were tear-filled. Rafael Nadal was taken by the moment that could be his last as a professional tennis player.
Then he couldn't get it together in the Davis Cup match against Botic van de Zandschulp, Netherlands.
The 38-year-old giant lost; 4–6, 4–6.
I had an emotional day, nervous about what could be my last singles match as a pro, he says.
I've been self-critical enough towards myself, even when I've won. Today, I won't be hard on myself, this was all I had.
After the defeat, Spain was forced to win the remaining two matches to secure advancement to the semifinals in the finals to be decided in Spanish Malaga.
Carlos Alcaraz took care of the first, winning 2–0 against Tallon Griekspoor.
It's also Alcaraz, together with Marcel Granollers, who will take on the final doubles match – a meeting with Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp that will decide whether Rafael Nadal's career is over or continues for a while longer.
Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam winner, announced last month that he is ending his tennis career after the Davis Cup on home soil. He has had major injury problems over the past two years.
