Nadal, grieving Bautista Agut lead Spain to Davis Cup title

Rafael Nal gave all he h on Caja Mágica center court in Mrid.

top-ranked Spanish star even mitted he risked getting injured by playing eight matches — five singles, three doubles — in six days at Davis Cup Finals, new World Cup of men’s team tennis.

Nal won all his matches, leing Spain to its sixth Davis Cup title after a 2-0 win over first-time finalist Cana on Sunday.

But in Nal’s eyes, only hero for Spain was grieving teammate Roberto Bautista Agut. He sent Spain on its way to victory by winning first singles match on Sunday, three days after death of his far.

“I’ve won eight matches but person who was vital in this Davis Cup was Roberto,” Nal said. “For me, what he did was something almost inhumane. I don’t kw how to explain it. It will be an example for rest of my life. He h to leave, n his d died, n he came back and practiced with us yesterday, and today he was rey again to play at a very high level. It was something incredible.”

Before Nal defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6 (7) to clinch title — Spain’s first since also winning at home in 2011 — Bautista Agut h given Spain a 1-0 le by beating Félix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Bautista Agut pointed his finger to sky after winning final point in his match, and was in tears while speaking briefly to crowd, which chanted his name.

“It was an amazing feeling on court today,” said Bautista Agut, who was Spanish player lifting cup in title celebrations.

Bautista Agut’s far died on Thursday — a day after his son h defeated Nikola Mektic of Croatia — with his health deteriorating quickly after an illness that stemmed from a 2016 accident.

It was Nal who h tears in his eyes when Bautista Agut thanked him for his efforts during tournament.

“You gave us goosebumps all week, especially today,” Bautista Agut said. “Thank you. I’m sure that next year you will do it again.”

31-year-old Bautista Agut, . 9 in world, played as teammates Pablo Carreño Busta and Marcel Grallers nursed injuries entering final.

“I h opportunity to play today because all team and all players did an unbelievable effort since first day,” Bautista Agut said.

Nal considered himself lucky to be able to play all matches.

“It’s true that I held up, but we kw that playing so many matches in this (hard court) surface is risky for me, something can happen at any time,” Nal said. “That’s how it’s been in past, but luckily I held up.”

Spain’s Marcel Grallers and Felicia López h been scheduled to face Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil in w canceled doubles, although Nal was likely to play if title h been at stake. Nal played in decisive doubles on Friday and Saturday.

Voted tournament’s best player, Nal sealed title with his 29th straight Davis Cup singles win, igniting home crowd’s celebrations.

Tournament organizer and Barcelona soccer star Gerard Piqué, his wife Shakira — who performed in closing ceremony — and Spanish King Felipe VI were among those celebrating Spain’s triumph.

Spain’s or Davis Cup titles were in 2000, ’04, ’08, ’09 and ’11.

Cana was seeking its first Davis Cup title since debuting in competition in 1913.

“I feel like we’ve really come really far as a team, as a nation,” 20-year-old Shapovalov said. “Definitely we’re super proud. Obviously it sucks, sucks losing in finals. But I’m super proud of everyone. We’ve put in 120% every single day. It’s amazing how far we’ve been able to come.”

Canians eliminated Italy and United States in group st, and Australia and Russia in kckout rounds.

19-year-old Auger-Aliassime lost to Bautista Agut while making his debut in this year’s tournament. He was coming off an ankle injury that h seen him sidelined through group st and quarterfinals and semifinals.

Cana came to Mrid without Milos Raonic because of a back injury. Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil were only players who h competed until Sunday.

Spain beat Russia and Croatia in group st, and Argentina and Britain in kckout rounds.

new Davis Cup Finals is result of a 25-year partnership between International Tennis Federation and Kosmos group co-founded by Piqué. For first time, 18 nations played in same venue in a single week, inste of he-to-he matches that used to take place over four weekends throughout year.

tournament returns to Mrid next year.