Rafael Nadal has exited the final tournament of his illustrious career as Spain hosts the Davis Cup finals in Malaga.
The 22-time grand slam champion waved goodbye to tennis in front of his home fans on Tuesday, playing one last singles match but losing 6-4 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp to open the quarter-final clash against the Netherlands.
The Dutchman then teamed up with Wesley Koolhof – who is also playing his final event – to beat Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers 7-6 (4) 7-6 (3) in the deciding doubles as Spain crashed out in their attemp to win a seventh Davis Cup title to cause heartbreak for the home fans.
In another quarter-final, defending champions Italy will field a strong team, led by Jannik Sinner. The world No 1 has won 26 of his last 27 matches, finishing the season in red-hot form, with Italy facing Argentina in their opening tie. They will play the winners of the USA and Australia, with Netherlands playing Germany or Canada in hte semi-finals.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Davis Cup finals.
Where can I watch the Davis Cup?
The finals will be shown and streamed live on the Tennis Channel in the UK.
You can sign up for a seven-day free trial and stream the match HERE.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Davis Cup schedule
Quarter-finals
Tuesday 19 November: Netherlands beat Spain 2-1
Wednesday 20 November: Germany vs Canada – from 11am BST
Thursday 21 November: USA vs Australia – from 9am BST
Thursday 21 November: Italy vs Argentina – not before 4pm BST
Semi-finals
Friday 22 November: Spain/Netherlands vs Germany/Canada – from 4pm BST
Saturday 23 November: USA/Australia vs Italy/Argentina – from 12pm BST
Final
Sunday 24 November: TBC vs TBC – from 3pm BST
Davis Cup squads
Argentina
- Sebastian Baez
- Francisco Cerundolo
- Tomas Martin Etcheverry
- Maximo Gonzalez
- Andres Molteni
- Captain Guillermo Coria (ARG)
Australia
- Alex De Minaur
- Alexei Popyrin
- Jordan Thompson
- Thanasi Kokkinakis
- Matthew Ebden
- Captain Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
Canada
- Denis Shapovalov
- Gabriel Diallo
- Alexis Galarneau
- Milos Raonic
- Vasek Pospisil
- Captain Frank Dancevic (CAN)
Germany
- Jan-Lennard Struff
- Daniel Altmaier
- Yannick Hanfmann
- Kevin Krawietz
- Tim Puetz
- Captain Michael Kohlmann (GER)
Italy
- Jannik Sinner
- Lorenzo Musetti
- Matteo Berrettini
- Andrea Vavassori
- Simone Bolelli
- Captain Filippo Volandri (ITA)
Netherlands
- Tallon Griekspoor
- Botic Van de Zandschulp
- Jesper De Jong
- Wesley Koolhof
- Captain Paul Haarhuis (NED)
Spain
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Pedro Martinez
- Roberto Bautista Agut
- Rafael Nadal
- Marcel Granollers
- Captain David Ferrer (ESP)
USA
- Taylor Fritz
- Tommy Paul
- Ben Shelton
- Austin Krajicek
- Rajeev Ram
- Captain Bob Bryan (USA)
