Nadal's first defeat with Spain in 16 years

The 'number one' in the world had only lost a single game, in his Davis debut, all for February 2004.

David Goffin, with his aggressive tennis from the bottom of the court, knocks out Rafa Nadal in Sydney and left the tie between Blgica and Espaa of the ATP Cup, which will be decided at the point of doubles (6-4, 7-6 (3)). The Belgian's achievement acquires a special relevance, given that the 'number one' in the world does not miss an individual match with Spain since his Davis Cup debut.

On February 6, 2004, Jiri Novak awarded the first point to the Czech Republic in the first round of the World Group. A 17-year-old Nadal could do nothing on the carpet of the Brno Exhibition Center (7-6 (2), 6-3, 7-6 (3)). From that moment, 29 victories in the Davis Cup in the individual duels, including the five that awarded last November in Madrid the sixth Salad bowl to the Spanish team.

“I knew that against Rafa I had to take more risks. I tried to send all the time and he had to find a solution. I knew I had to look for the lines and keep moving. It's what I did,” Goffin analyzed after surprise at Ken Rosewall Arena. .

Breaking errors

The best player of Dominic Dominica from the start and in the second set knew to calm Nadal's reaction, which went from an adverse 2-4 to a 5-4. His tranquility in the 'tie-break' contrast with the nerves of the champion of 19 majors, who linked an error with the frame of his racket and a double foul to finally bend the knee.

From his stumble against Alexander Zverev on the first day of the Masters Cup, Nadal linked 10 consecutive victories, a climax to an exceptional year 2019, where he also added 17 in a row between Rome and Wimbledon or 15 between Montreal and Pars-Bercy.

Trips in doubles

Throughout his extensive career with the Spanish team, Rafa also lost four doubles matches of the Davis Cup, the last in Italy in 2005, forming a partner with Feliciano Lopez.

In its three participations in the Olympic Games, the Mallorcan has a balance of 16-4. His two losses in singles came in Ro 2016, against Juan Martn del Potro (semifinals) and Kei Nishikori (duel for the bronze). The two in doubles were in Athens 2004, forming a pair with Carlos Moy, and Pekn 2008, with Tommy Robredo.