Davis Cup LIVE: Latest score and updates as retiring Rafael Nadal plays opening match in Spain vs Netherlands

Here’s what the schedule looks like over the next few days:

Tuesday 19 November: Spain vs Netherlands – from 4pm BST

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

Friday 22 November: Spain/Netherlands vs Germany/Canada – from 4pm BST

Saturday 23 November: USA/Australia vs Italy/Argentina – from 12pm BST

Sunday 24 November: TBC vs TBC – from 3pm BST

It’s now official. Rafael Nadal will be playing in the first singles match for Spain this afternoon, against Botic van de Zandschulp.

That starts at 4pm BST and will be box office, as Nadal plays what could be his final match of professional tennis. Not to be missed

From the sleeveless teenage superstar who was virtually unbeatable for three months every spring to the all-court genius who defied the limits of his body to conquer the lot, it’s been quite the ride for Rafael Nadal in professional tennis.

A formal farewell – beyond the ‘will he, won’t he?’ of the summer – has been in the pipeline for some time. Last month, aged 38, Nadal confirmed that he will call time on his astonishing career at the end of the season, acknowledging “a difficult last two years” playing “with limitations.”

Rafael Nadal showed up at the French Open for the first time as a teenager in 2005 and left as the champion. He won it for the final time in 2022 at age 36 — his last major championship anywhere.

Fittingly, his bookend Grand Slam titles came at Roland Garros, and it’s impossible to discuss Nadal’s career without mentioning that site. Still, it’s also important to remember that he completed a career Grand Slam, earning at least two trophies at each of his sport’s four most prestigious tournaments.

As Nadal, now 38, gets set to head into retirement after the Davis Cup Final 8 — which begins Tuesday with his country, Spain, facing the Netherlands — here is a look at his 22 major triumphs, starting with the most recent:

Rafael Nadal will not dwell on his impending retirement at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga and focus on helping Spain claim the title this week.

“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,” Nadal said.

“The emotions will come at the end. Before and after I will be focused on what I have to do.”

A very good afternoon and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of what should be a thrilling, and potentially emotional, Davis Cup quarter-final. A retiring Rafael Nadal is featuring for the final time in professional tennis this week, with his Spanish squad taking on the Netherlands for a last-four place.

The 22-time grand slam champion cast aside any sense of sentimentality ahead of the encounter, declaring that he is intent on victory in Malaga. Will Nadal’s swansong extend into a semi-final and beyond?

The action should get underway at about 4pm GMT.