Dutch Davis Cup team captain Paul Haarhuis cheekily warned Rafael Nadal that Netherlands will be looking to spoil his farewell and instantly end it.
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Today, Netherlands will take on Spain in the quarterfinal stage of the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. On paper, it is not really the most attractive of the matchups. But since it could possibly be Nadal's last appearance as a pro tennis player, there is no doubt that the entire tennis world will be watching.
So far, the 22-time Grand Slam champion hasn't yet confirmed that he will play in singles. However, the general expectation and belief is that he will suit up today.
When it comes to Netherlands, they are set to be represented in singles by world No. 40 Tallon Griekspoor and 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp. In doubles, Wesley Koolhof and Jesper de Jong should get action if needed.
It's Davis Cup. Anything can happen. We have been here now for three years in a row. This is the fourth year in five years. We want more than being in the quarter-finals. So, we're going to have to play well, and that's what we focus on. We're not focusing on who has the pressure. We have to think of our own level. If we play well, we feel we can beat anybody. That's what we focus on," Haarhuis said.
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Addressing the fact that Nadal is playing his last pro event, the Dutch captain said they will be looking to give him "a nice adios."
It's amazing that it might be the last match that Nadal plays. And we hope to give him a nice adios," he noted.
How van de Zandschulp, Griekspoor feel about Nadal?
The second best-ranked Dutch tennis player at this week's Davis Cup Finals grew up idolizing the record 14-time French Open champion. When asked about the occasion, the 29-year-old highlighted he expects it to be "something special" and to see "mad atmosphere."
To no one's surprise, he'd like to get one last crack at the 38-year-old.
"I've thought about the possibility of facing him, although I try not to do so too much because I think I would go crazy. I hope I get the chance, I really wish it. He was always my idol when I was little and I watched his matches on television . It would be a real pleasure to be the last one to face him," van de Zandschulp said.
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Griekspoor pretty much repeated the message of his team colleague but also underlined that they would go out there to win.
I think it's a special occasion for everyone but also for us to play Alcaraz and Nadal here in Malaga. I expect a crazy atmosphere. I think it's going to be an amazing day, and hopefully we're able to get a result against them," the former world No. 20 said.
Nadal made one thing clear ahead of his retirement
Since the Spanish tennis icon's career is set to come in front of his home fans and likely in a fully sold-out and packed arena, there is no doubt that it will be all but an ordinary day in Malaga. But when it comes to the main character, he is hoping to keep his emotions under check because his main priority is to help his nation win.
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"If I'm on the court I hope to control my emotions. I'm not here to retire, I'm here to help the team win. It's my last week in a team competition and the most important thing is to help the team. Emotions will come at the end. Before and after I'll be focused on what I have to do," Nadal said.
Ahead of what retirement, the 38-year-old also claimed he was at peace because he knew he gave his absolute best before coming to this decision.
"Everybody when arrive the end of a long career, of course, at the end I will change things that I did, I will do things that I will change to try to be better and to try to avoid things, but at the end, I achieved the most important thing for me. I arrived this day, and I am in peace that I give all what I had, and I played and I practiced since I was seven years old but in that age, I started to work more and more with passion, with love, and with the determination to be as good as possible," the former world No. 1 said.
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It remains to be seen what will be Nadal's role today against Netherlands.
