Rafael Nadal is hoping to extend his illustrious career by another few days as the retiring great looks to lead Spain past the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.
The 22-time grand slam champion will bring the curtain down on his time in the sport at the end of the event in Malaga, and a strong Spanish squad will have high hopes of giving him a fitting farewell on home soil. Carlos Alcaraz is also part of the hosts’ team, who play in the opening last eight tie.
Their opponents are a Dutch unit that also have a retiree in the ranks: Wesley Koolhof will similarly step away from tennis at the end of his nation’s participation in the Davis Cup. The winner of this tie will set up an encounter with either Germany or Canada on Friday, with the competition decider on Sunday.
Follow all of the latest from Nadal’s potential farewell in our live blog below:
Spain vs Netherlands – Davis Cup quarter-final LIVE
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Spain take on the Netherlands in the first Davis Cup quarter-final from 4pm GMT
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The retiring Rafael Nadal could play the final match of his illustrious career
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Hosts also have Carlos Alcaraz as part of their squad in Malaga
Spain vs Netherlands LIVE
11:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A very good afternoon and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of what should be a thrilling, and potentially emotional, Davis Cup quarter-final. A retiring Rafael Nadal is featuring for the final time in professional tennis this week, with his Spanish squad taking on the Netherlands for a last-four place.
The 22-time grand slam champion cast aside any sense of sentimentality ahead of the encounter, declaring that he is intent on victory in Malaga. Will Nadal’s swansong extend into a semi-final and beyond?
The action should get underway at about 4pm GMT.
