World No. 1 Rafael Nadal beat Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6(7) on Sunday to hand Spain their sixth Davis Cup.
Rafa’s win saw his Davis Cup career singles record improve to a freakish 29-1. He hasn’t lost a singles match in Davis Cup competition since his first match, against the Czech Republic’s Jiri Novak, in 2004.
An amazing week, a lot of things we went through – the father of Roberto passed away… a lot of things happened.I could not be happier. It has been an unforgettable moment in this amazing stadium; we can’t thank the crowd enough. Our team spirit prevails.
With his win, Spain took a 2-0 lead with one doubles match to play. Earlier on Centre Court, Roberto Bautista Agut, making a surprise return to the team following the death of his father on Thursday, beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(3) 6-3.
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24:Rafael Nadal of Spain is seen during the 2019 Davis Cup final tennis match between Canada and Spain, during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Singer Shakira (L) and her husband and footballer Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona (R) react in the stands as they watch the singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during the final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during the Day 7 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a serve in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain stretches to play a forehand in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: (L-R) Ana Maria Parera, mother of Rafael Nadal, Xisca Perello, wife of Rafael Nadal and Maria Isabel Nadal, sister of Rafael Nadal of Spain watch the singles final match between Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada and Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during the final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during the Day 7 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Team captain Sergi Bruguera of Spain (R) speaks to Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a serve in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during the final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during the Day 7 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Sergio Ramos during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Oscar Gonzalez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Mery Perelló during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Oscar Gonzalez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Mery Perelló during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Oscar Gonzalez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates match point in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada which leads Spain to victory during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates match point in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada which leads Spain to victory during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates match point in his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada which leads Spain to victory during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates match point with his team mates following his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada which leads Spain to victory during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory with team mate Roberto Bautista Agut following his singles final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada which leads Spain to victory during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after receiving Player of the Tournament award following his team’s victory during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates match point with Roberto Bautista Agut in his singles match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada in the Final between Spain and Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 David Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates match point with Roberto Bautista Agut in his singles match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada in the Final between Spain and Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 David Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory with team mates following his singles match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada in the Final between Spain and Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 David Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 20: Day 7 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory n his singles match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada in the Final between Spain and Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 David Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory n his singles match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada in the Final between Spain and Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 David Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory n his singles match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada in the Final between Spain and Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 David Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory with family in his singles match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada in the Final between Spain and Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 David Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after receiving Player of the Tournament award following his team’s victory during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: (L-R) Marcel Granollers, Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno Busta, Roberto Bautista Agut, Rafael Nadal and team captain Sergi Bruguera celebrate with the trophy following their victory over Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: (L-R) Marcel Granollers, Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno Busta, Roberto Bautista Agut, Rafael Nadal and team captain Sergi Bruguera celebrate with the trophy following their victory over Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: (L-R) Marcel Granollers, Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno Busta, Roberto Bautista Agut, Rafael Nadal and team captain Sergi Bruguera celebrate with the trophy following their victory over Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: (L-R) Marcel Granollers, Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno Busta, Roberto Bautista Agut and Rafael Nadal celebrate with the trophy following their victory over Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain takes a picture with the trophy and his teammates Marcel Granollers, Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Bautista Agut and the rest of their team following their victory over Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain takes a picture with the trophy and his teammates Marcel Granollers, Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Bautista Agut and the rest of their team following their victory over Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain takes a picture with the trophy and his teammates Marcel Granollers, Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Bautista Agut and the rest of their team following their victory over Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Congratz to Rafa and his team for winning the Davis Cup. even though I did not get to watch it was not shown here in Fl. Usa where i live made me sad that i could not watch my favorite tennis player of all time play, but so happy for Spain that they won . Get rest now Rafa so i can watch you play tennis again soon. God Bless.
FYI: If you type marca tenis you will arrive at the Spanish paper on line. For who would like to read it in English there is also translation. Quite a rich site about the Davis Cup and the Spanish team this past week.
Wamos Rafa, together with your team, you are the best.
News from the ATP Tour:
Rafael Nadal (ESP) – Finishes 2019 as No. 1 for the fifth time and is the oldest year-end (33) No. 1 in history of ATP Rankings (since 1973).
It was his 15th straight year in the Top 10, the second-best behind Jimmy Connors (16) for most consecutive Top 10 finishes.
The Spaniard became the sixth player with 200 weeks at No. 1 (as of this week).
Juliet’s Javier-enjoyed your comment. Congrats to Rafael Nadal and Team Spain🇪🇸You, Rafa, continue to inspire and delight your fans. Thank you🙏 for a phenomenal year-celebrate🎉🎊 every hard fought victory. A fantastic season-you overcame many challenges to carve out an amazing year. You are deservedly World Number 1🤛💪👏👍🏆👑🎾❤️
An extraordinary win for an extraordinary man! As a citizen of Spain, I salute your achievements and the glory you and your team have brought Spain, even in the darkest of hours for a team member; and as a citizen of the world, I have nothing but deep admiration for you, Rafa.
To the Canadian Team, let sport in general and tennis in particular be a unifying principle, not a dividing one — there are days when we’re up and other days that we fall short. Such is the wheel of Life. Your day will come too.
And as we are all Children of God, let’s recognise and honour the divinity in one another through sport, and hopefully the Heads of State around the world will take notice, and will legislate and make crucial decisions to include rather than exclude, to harmonise rather than separate and to reconcile rather than agitate.
I love Rafa as he has demonstrated so many times, in the sporting world over numerous years that I have watched him play, his attributes of humility and elementary KINDNESS.
What a week by Rafa. Perfect ending of the season. Very happy for him and #TeamSpain.
Celebrate tonight and than enjoy some days off😉
Thank you for the great year. See you in 2020. Vamos Rafa <3
Big congratulations to La Armada! Everyone on the team gave his best and made it a winning effort! Special congrats, of course, to my dear Rafa for his effort and inspiration. This man is a true team player and always gives his best – and then some! – when wearing his country’s colors.
What a wonderful end to this amazing decade of tennis!
Congratulations to the indefatigable Rafa and his teammates.
Rafa is Rafamazing because he continues to amaze his fans, opponents, teammates, the media, the sports world.
Rafa’s family and personal team have much to celebrate about such an extraordinary year.
Notable quotes from the media:
Rafa Nadal, almost single-handedly, gets Spain to the semifinals; Rafa Nadal drags his team to the finals.
Rafa has had another amazing year: earning the year-end world No. 1 title and being such an instrumental player of Team Spain in winning the Davis Cup Finals final, his 12th FO, his 4th US Open, the Canada Masters, and on, and on…..
Rafa is a very happy CHAMPION.
Wishing him a great time off and happy holidays.
For me it’s t been a really exciting tournament and complelling viewing.
Well done team Spain. An amazing effort spearheaded by Rafa to capture the title. So much spirit and emotion shown by the whole team. Congratulations to Canada also, for reaching their first final.
How great to see all the players excited, with beaming smiles as they received the trophy and it was wonderful for Rafa to get the Rakuten Optimism Award for the most inspiring player – richly deserved.
Rafa, your job is done. Now you and your team can have the rest you all richly deserve.
Well don Rafa what a way to end the decade in style well don for your team Rafa vamossssssssss champ .love your fans for ever. 🇺🇸💪🎾❤️😘🇺🇸💪🎾❤️😘🇺🇸💪🎾❤️😘🇺🇸💪🎾❤️😘🇺🇸🇺🇸🎾❤️😘🇪🇸🇺🇸🇪🇸👍🏆
Congratulations to Rafa for winning the Player of the tournament award, well deserved!👏
Thank you for a wonderful 2019, Rafa🙏 All the best to you in 2020!❤
Such wonderful celebrations during the award ceremony – and of course Rafa had to bite the trophy! More moments to treasure for all of the Spanish team and for all of us fans.
I’m so glad that Rafa has a happy ending to what has been an outstanding year, so many times recently his season has ended with withdrawals and injuries.
Please go and take a holiday now Rafa, you have truly wowed the tennis world this year, it’s time to rest and reflect on your achievements – and work out a plan of campaign for 2020 😉
What a way to finish the year!! A brilliant week as Rafa lead his teammates…his countrymen … into the finals and brought home a sweet victory for his homeland…
Congrats Rafa on your tremendous play… proving once again…. your simply the BEST!!!
Time to celebrate and have fun, get some rest as the holidays will be here before you know it… and then….we’ll be seeing you in Australia….
Enjoy the moment …..you so deserve it!!!
That was lovely. Something needs to be done about the scheduling, but I think the new format’s worked pretty well.
Congratulations to the home team, wonderful job!👏
What a touching moment to watch Rafa and RBA hugging each other❤
Let the celebration begins……
One important Team, and The Greatest Leads Hardworker Rafa Nadal Tennis´Player ever, won Spain to Davis Cup Final. From the canarian anenormous sportly H u g. C. Javier
Vamos Rafa, well done! What a way to end the decade in style, for himself and for his country!
Thankful that Rafa is able to close the match in straight sets; if it goes the third set, Shapo who looks the fresher of the two may have a good chance of winning!
Absolutely Luckystar. Rafa gave everything.
VAMOS AND CONGRATULATIONS TENNIS GENIUS SENIOR SWEETHEART GOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) FANTASTIC MAGNIFICENT HEROIC RAFA NADAL!!!!!!!!MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR MAGICAL VICTORIES……ALL YEAR HERO!!!!!!!:) CONGRATULATIONS ON BRINGING PASSION AND DRIVE TO YOUR SPAIN TEAM AND FOR WINNING THE 2019 DAVIS CUP CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!:) ENJOY EVERYTHING AND CELEBRATE WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!!!!!!!!!!:)
XOXOXOXOXOXO XOXOXOXOXOXO