‘Won’t play singles if I don’t feel ready’: Rafael Nadal ahead of Davis Cup farewell

By News Update On Nov 17, 2024

New Delhi: Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal has opened up on the possibility of him playing the singles in Spain’s Final 8 Davis Cup clash against the Netherlands at the indoor hard-court Martin Carpena arena in Malaga. This will be the 38-year-old tennis star’s farewell tournament of an illustrious career.

Th2 22-time Grand Slam winner has endured injuries over the last two years with his participation being limited to key events. He pulled out from Wimbledon and US Open due to fitness concerns but participated at the French Open and Paris Olympics (both singles and doubles).

He announced last month that the Davis Cup (World Cup team event in tennis) will be his last hurrah on the tennis court with the aim of helping Spain lift their sevnth title after the Mallorca-born player was part of their triumphant campaigns in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019.

However, the tennis stalwart isn’t sure of participating in the singles tie owing to the prolonged fitness concerns. He will most likely be in action for the doubles with the country’s prodigious player Carlos Alcaraz after the duo reached the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics this year.

“First off, we’ll have to see how I feel in training and, if I really don’t feel I have a chance to win the singles, I’ll be the first to not want to play,” Nadal said in comments to the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET).

“If I don’t feel ready, I’ll be the first to speak to the captain (David Ferrer). I’ve already told him on a few occasions not to make any decisions based on the fact that it’s my last week as a professional tennis player,” he added.

How Carlos Alcaraz looks at Rafael Nadal’s farewell

Following his recent exit from the ATP Finals in the group stage, Carlos Alcaraz shifted his focus at the Davis Cup with the sole intention of giving his idol Nadal a grand farewell with the Davis Cup Trophy on November 24. The 21-year-old said it would be a special tournament for him to bid adieu to the tennis legend with one more silverware in his already laced cabinet.

“Probably one of the most special tournaments that I’m going to play. Last tournament of Rafa, I’ll be able to be next to him in the last moments on a tennis court for him,” said Alcaraz.

“I think it’s most important for Rafa, for his last tournament. I really want him to retire with a title. It’s going to be really, really emotional and a really special tournament for me,” he added.

Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Marcel Granollers are also part of the Spanish squad for its Davis Cup Final 8 stage.