[ad_1]
Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers were to meet Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof to finish the day. So it was up to Nadal’s countrymen to try to extend his career. If the Netherlands were to win, he would be finished.
”It’s amazing that it might be the last match that Nadal plays,” Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis said beforehand, ”and we hope to give him a nice ‘Adios.”’
When the match ended — with Nadal ranging to his left but not quite able to get into proper position and putting a forehand into the net — he walked to the net for a quick hug with his opponent.
”That was a tough, tough match to play,” said van de Zandschulp, noting that he idolized Nadal while growing up.
In certain ways, and for brief interludes, this was, unmistakably, the Nadal that van de Zandschulp — and so many others — can remember. The white headband, marked with the red bull logo Nadal made famous. The white tape wrapped around all four of his left, racket-holding fingers. The water bottles by his sideline bench, placed just so.
There was the occasional ace right on a line. The occasional serve-and-volley foray forward. The occasional over-the-shoulder putaway. And, yes, the occasional hop and uppercut and scream of ”Vamos!” after claiming a key point or closing out a game.
[ad_2]
Source link