Nadal hopes to prolong swansong at Davis Cup - live updates

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Rafael Nadal is hoping to extend his illustrious career by another few days as the retiring great looks to lead Spain past the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals. The 22-time grand slam champion will bring the curtain down on his time in the sport at the end of the event in Malaga, and a strong Spanish squad will have high hopes of giving him a fitting farewell on home soil. Carlos Alcaraz is also part of the hosts’ team, who play in the opening last eight tie. Their opponents are a Dutch unit that also have a retiree in the ranks: Wesley Koolhof will similarly step away from tennis at the end of his nation’s participation in the Davis Cup. The winner of this tie will set up an encounter with either Germany or Canada on Friday, with the competition decider on Sunday. Follow all of the latest from Nadal’s potential farewell in our live blog below: • Spain take on the Netherlands in the first Davis Cup quarter-final from 4pm GMT • The retiring Rafael Nadal could play the final match of his illustrious career • Hosts also have Carlos Alcaraz as part of their squad in Malaga Rafael Nadal intent on success in Davis Cup farewell: ‘I’m not here to retire — I’m here to help the team win’ 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. Nadal will call time on his glittering career spanning more than two decades at the team competition. The 22-time grand Slam champion has said previously he may only play doubles if it gives the team a better chance of winning a seventh title. “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.” Rafael Nadal: ‘I’m not here to retire — I’m here to help the team win’ The great Spaniard will play his last matches before retirement on home soil at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga 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.