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MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Feliciano Lopez of Spain celebrate after winning the first set in their semi-final doubles match against Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski of Great Britain during Day 6 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
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MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Feliciano Lopez of Spain celebrate after winning the first set in their semi-final doubles match against Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski of Great Britain during Day 6 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
The 2021 Davis Cup finals are on, and they bring shocking wins and epic fights for the fans. Yesterday was no exception. Feliciano Lopez defeated Andrey Rublev in their Spain vs Russia tie with the scores: 2-6 6-3 6-4.
Yes, it is definitely surprising that the 40-year-old Spaniard had to play the singles match against the 24-year-old World No. 5 player. However, Team Spain had no other choice, with the unforeseen withdrawals of three players.
Lopez certainly became a hometown hero yesterday with his epic win over Rublev– nobody could have seen this coming.
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Rafael Nadal reacts to Lopez’s heroic victory
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MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: (L-R) Marcel Granollers, Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno Busta, Roberto Bautista Agut and Rafael Nadal pose for a photo as Roberto Bautista Agut lifts 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)
Spain was unlucky with the sudden withdrawals of Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Roberto Bautista Agut. Consequently, the 40-year-old Feliciano Lopez had to step up and play the singles matches himself.
“I didn’t expect to be the one playing the singles and I had to take that role,” Feliciano admitted after the match, “Honestly, today, playing against Andrey, No.5 in the world, at this stage of my career in my hometown, this is over any expectations!”
🇪🇸 Se cae el Madrid Arena con este hombre. HÉROE Feliciano López #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/6C0eYEWSZM
— Fernando Murciego (@fermurciego) November 28, 2021
ALSO READ: Feliciano Lopez Leaves Roger Federer Behind in an Elite Record at Australian Open 2021
Teammate Rafael Nadal, who has already ended his season owing to a foot injury, took to Instagram to congratulate Lopez over his win in Madrid.
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Rafael Nadal re-shared the above post by the Royal Spanish Tennis Association, featuring Lopez. Additionally, Nadal posted “👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻” and “🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸” to congratulate Lopez. No doubt, the Spanish legend is in awe of Lopez’s performance, much like the rest of the tennis world.
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Team Spain misses Nadal
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MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain, playing partner of Feliciano Lopez celebrates following their victory in the semi-final doubles match against Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski of Great Britain during Day 6 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
Team Spain certainly misses the 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal. Nadal had last played the Davis Cup when he beat Denis Shapovalov in the 2019 finals to lift Spain’s sixth title.
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The world certainly awaits Rafa’s return to the court: hoping that his foot heals and recovers as soon as possible.
