Which American did Rafael Nadal defeat in the 2004 Davis Cup final?

Rafael Nadal defeated Andy Roddick in the 2004 Davis Cup final.

The match was played in Seville, Spain, on a dramatic indoor clay court. Nadal, then an 18-year-old rising star, beat the American No. 1 player 6–7, 6–2, 7–6, 6–2. Roddick was ranked second in the world and was known for one of tennis's most powerful serves, making Nadal's victory a major breakthrough.

Nadal's win gave Spain a 2–0 lead over the United States after the opening day of singles. Spain ultimately won the tie 3–2, securing its first Davis Cup title. Carlos Moyá had earlier defeated Mardy Fish in the opening rubber, while the United States later won the doubles match.

A common mix-up is confusing Roddick with Mardy Fish, another American who played in the final. Fish lost to Moyá; Roddick was the American Nadal personally defeated. The victory also helped establish Nadal as a formidable force beyond his preferred clay-court events.