Rafael Nadal is set to play what may be his last match as a tennis professional as Spain takes on the Netherlands in the Davis Cup. The 22-time major champion will step onto the court on Tuesday in Malaga, facing world No. 80 Botic van de Zandschulp. Although it's unclear if Nadal will play in the semifinals or final if Spain progresses, the 38-year-old has confirmed that this week marks his final farewell after a career spanning over two decades.

Nadal's Farewell in the Davis Cup Arena

Pre-match Anthem and Atmosphere

The fans are in full voice, hollering "RAFA, RAFA, RAFA!" as the anthem plays. It's a home rubber for Nadal and Spain, but there's a significant Dutch presence in the arena. The squads are out on the court, ready for the national anthems, adding to the excitement.Just minutes before the match starts, the players are due to take their positions. Botic van de Zandschulp, ranked 80 in the world and with a 16-25 win/loss record in 2024, could be a key figure. He reached a career high ranking of 29 in 2022.

Nadal's First Serve and Early Play

Nadal gets the first serve of the match, but it's tentative, in the middle of the box. Van de Zandschulp times his attack well, coming into the net and winning the first point with a backhand volley cross court. However, Nadal quickly levels up, dominating from the backhand wing. He serves and volleys successfully to reach game point. It's like an old dog with new tricks as Nadal wraps up the game with his best serve so far. Van de Zandschulp tries to respond, but Nadal clatters the winner.

Match Progress and Highlights

As the match unfolds, Nadal shows his class. He battles through tough points and showcases his signature shots. The crowd is on the edge of their seats, cheering every point. The Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp also puts up a fight, showing his determination.In the second set, the tension continues to rise. Nadal faces some challenges but manages to stay in the game. The back-and-forth play keeps the spectators engaged. There are moments of brilliance from both players, highlighting the skill and passion of tennis.The Sporting News is providing live score updates and commentary, allowing fans around the world to follow the action closely. It's a momentous occasion as Nadal potentially bids farewell to the sport he has dominated for so long.This match is scheduled to be the first of the Davis Cup tie between the Netherlands and Spain, starting at approximately 5 p.m. local time in Malaga. Here's how the time translates across some major territories:In the USA, it's 11:00 a.m. ET; in Canada, also 11:00 a.m. ET; in the UK, 4:00 p.m. GMT; in Australia, 3:00 a.m. AEDT; and in India, 9:30 p.m. IST.To watch this Davis Cup match in different territories:In the United States, it's on Tennis Channel and available for live stream on Fubo; in Canada, on TVA Sports (French) with live stream on TVA Sports Direct (French), CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, or CBC Sports YouTube channel; in Australia, on 9Gem with live stream on beIN Sports and 9Now; and in the UK, on Tennis Channel, BBC Sport with live stream on Tennis Channel, the BBC Sport website, and BBC iPlayer.This year's Davis Cup finals are a significant event, and Nadal's participation adds to the drama. Fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome, knowing that this could be a historic moment in tennis.