Since we knew that Rafa Nadal would open the individual qualifiers in the Davis Cupanother tennis player takes up the conversations going on in the corridors of the Martín Carpena. How are you Botic van de Zandschulp? How does Botic van de Zandschulp’s game suit Rafa? Isn’t Botic van de Zandschulp the one who eliminated Alcaraz at the US Open?
Botic van de Zandschulp is in the center of the target. He will probably be the last individual rival of Rafa Nadal’s career. A tennis player who arrives in Malaga with the impulse of having been decisive in the qualification of the Netherlands for the Davis Cup. His victory, in the doubles, with Wesley Koolhof, culminated the return of the series against Brazil and sealed the ticket to Malaga.
On the Costa del Sol, he arrives with the complicated task of making Nadal abandon. The Dutchman does not seem to be a rival who overloads Rafa whose performance in a match is an unknown. He has not competed individually since last Julywhen he succumbed in two sets to Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics.
Botic van Zandschulp has a record of 16-25 so far this year, although a victory resonates in the Spanish team’s locker room. The Dutchman, in one of the most inspired days we can remember, He eliminated Alcaraz in the second round of the last US Open played. He didn’t drop a single set. An overwhelming (3-0) which confused the Murcian and boosted the Dutch.
Botic becomes more corrosive on hard court, a surface on which he has not yet faced Nadal, his idol. “I was a fan of Rafa when I was younger. He admired Agassi. I really liked Roddick, but I haven’t met them yet, so I hope my time will come,” he explained. It arrived. In Malaga, during Nadal’s last dance in singles.
What is Van de Zandschulp’s ATP ranking and his age?
Van de Zandschulpof 29 years oldis the number two of the Dutch team, a 1.91 meter giant who He is ranked 80th in the ATP rankings. His career includes significant victories on the ATP Challenger Tour and in Futures tournaments. Although he failed to top the rankings in some important events like Queen’s.
Nadal left good feelings during his last training session before Davis’ first game. He passed the final test with Alcaraz with flying colors. Practice clarified an idea. Nadal is ready for the tournament. Rafa showed himself in an ascending line with the racket in hand.
Solid on serve and firm in exchanges, even if he still lacks a certain reaction on the rest. Product of lack of rhythm having not played a single match since his elimination at the Paris Olympic Games. Welcome to Rafa Nadal’s last dance as a tennis player.
