The Netherlands has secured second place at the 2024 Davis Cup. Captain Paul Haarhuis's team has made history, as their semi-final appearance in 2001 was the Netherlands' best Davis Cup performance ever prior to the tournament. After two impressive victories over Spain (2-1) and Germany (2-0), defending champions Italy proved too strong for their compatriots in the final. Nevertheless, the Dutch team can look back on the Davis Cup Final 8 in Málaga, Spain with great satisfaction.
Van de Zandschulp and Koolhof send Nadal into retirement
The Davis Cup Final 8 kicked off for the Netherlands with a quarterfinal against the host nation, Spain. A heated encounter, as tennis legend Rafael Nadal had indicated earlier this year that this would be his last tournament as a professional tennis player. For a long time, it was uncertain whether the "king of clay" would compete in the Netherlands, but the Spanish federation eventually announced that he would face Botic van de Zandschulp in the first match of the Netherlands-Spain clash. It quickly became clear that Nadal couldn't match his peak form in the bustling tennis arena in Málaga, and within two hours, Van de Zandschulp defeated the Spaniard (6-4, 6-4), leaving him dependent on his compatriots. If Carlos Alcaraz and company couldn't turn the score around, Nadal would be retired.
Tallon Griekspoor was the next Dutchman in action, facing Alcaraz, the current world number three. The Spaniard won the match 7-6, 6-3, meaning a doubles match had to decide who qualified for the semifinals of the Davis Cup Final 8. Alcaraz was called back to the court to postpone Nadal's retirement, partnering with doubles specialist Marcel Granollers. For the Netherlands, Van de Zandschulp and doubles specialist Wesley Koolhof, for whom it was also the last tournament of his professional career, took to the court. It was a true spectacle for both sides, with Koolhof, in particular, proving his exceptional doubles skills. He won the thriller with Van de Zandschulp 7-6, 7-6, not only ensuring Nadal's final professional match was played but also securing a place in the final four.
Germany also returns home early
In the semifinals, Germany was the opponent. Germany, who had traveled to Málaga without world-class player Alexander Zverev, defeated Canada in the quarterfinals and thus met the Netherlands in the semifinals of the Davis Cup tennis tournament. Van de Zandschulp was once again given the honor of starting first, facing Daniel Altmaier. Van de Zandschulp and his German opponent battled for nearly three hours, after which the Dutchman took the win: 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. Then it was Griekspoor's turn, who finished the match against Jan-Lennard Struff. They also put on a spectacular performance. Struff took the first set (7-6), after which Griekspoor had to fight his way back into the match. He succeeded: he won the second set 7-5 and managed to take the third set 6-4, meaning that the Netherlands could prepare for a place in the Davis Cup final for the first time in history.
Defending champions Italy too strong for the Dutch
In this final, the Netherlands faced Italy. Italy, naturally featuring world number one Jannik Sinner, defeated Argentina in the quarterfinals and defeated Australia in the semifinals. Last year, the Italians were too strong for the Netherlands in the Davis Cup, and this year, Italy was once again the overwhelming favorite in the Davis Cup final. Van de Zandschulp faced Matteo Berrettini, while Griekspoor faced Sinner. Unfortunately for the Netherlands, it quickly became clear that it would be a difficult match, as Berrettini played a very strong match and defeated Van de Zandschulp within an hour and a half (6-4, 6-2).
It was then up to Griekspoor to save the Netherlands, a tough task against Sinner, who had lost only one of his last 33 singles matches. Nevertheless, Griekspoor, who showed good tennis in the first set, created some chances. However, he failed to capitalize on his two break points in that first set, and the tiebreak proved to be a foregone conclusion for Sinner, who stepped up his game in the second set, making three breaks to take the set 6-2. With that, the battle was decided, no further doubles matches were needed, and Italy won the Davis Cup, while the Netherlands can certainly be proud of their second-place finish.
