Rafael Nadal in professional tennis, Botic van de Zandschulp, gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead over Germany in the Davis Cup semifinals by hanging on to defeat Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 on his 10th match point.

Van de Zandschulp was the last player to beat Nadal after beating the Spaniard in Netherland's 2-1 victory over Spain.

Van de Zandschulp is among the protagonists of the journey that brought the Netherlands to the Davis Cup final for the first time in its history. At the level of ATP singles tournaments, he has

Rafael Nadal’s last match as a professional was a 6-4, 6-4 loss to No. 80 Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup as Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands.

The Netherlands progressed to their first ever appearance in the Davis Cup final without needing doubles, after a 2-0 semi-final victory over Germany in Malaga.

The loss against Botic van de Zandschulp at the Davis Cup Finals is destined to remain the last match of Rafael Nadal's career. The Spanish legend had arrived in Malaga a few days early to practice and adapt to the surface, but everyone thought he would only be deployed in doubles in the first tie against the Netherlands.

Italy's Matteo Berrettini comfortably beat Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4 6-2 in the first singles clash of the Davis Cup final against the Netherlands on Sunday to hand the holders a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three tie.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion's physical limitations were laid bare in what could be his last appearance as a professional player.

Rafael Nadal retires from tennis after Spain lose to the Netherlands at Davis Cup Finals: watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ which is integrated into Sky TV,

The Netherlands reach the final of the Davis Cup for the first time as Tallon Griekspoor fights back in his singles match to clinch a 2-0 win over Germany.