Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal is set to cap his emotional farewell to tennis with another Davis Cup triumph in Malaga next week. Nadal, 38, has battled injuries over the past few years and it is unknown whether he will be able to compete for his country, but all eyes will be on the 22-time Grand Slam winner. The veteran led Spain to victory in Madrid five years ago – the last time they won the trophy and Nadal’s fourth. However, he admitted on Saturday that his role in Malaga may be limited to doubles rather than singles.
“First of all, we need to see how I feel in training and if I really don’t feel like I have a chance to win the singles, I’ll be the first one who doesn’t want to play,” Nadal said in comments. to the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET).
“If I don’t feel ready, I’ll be the first one to talk to the captain (David Ferrer). “I’ve already told him several times not to make any decisions based on the fact that this is my last week as a professional tennis player.”
French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz will be Spain’s leading player and his presence gives Nadal a real chance to finish his career on a high note.
“This is probably one of the most special tournaments that I will participate in. Rafa’s last tournament, I will be able to be with him in the last minutes on the tennis court for him,” said Alcaraz, who played doubles with Nadal at this year’s Paris Olympics.
“I think this is very important for Rafa, his last tournament. I really want him to retire with the title. It will be a very, very emotional and really special tournament for me.”
Representing Spain, Nadal won gold in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won the doubles title at Rio 2016 with Mark Lopez.
However, injuries to former world number one Nadal in the twilight of his career saw his ranking drop to 155th.
The latest of his 92 career titles was his 14th French Open and 22nd major at Roland Garros in 2022.
He has not played a competitive singles match since losing to Novak Djokovic at the Olympics in July and has played just four times in 2023.
Many are hoping Spain and Alcaraz will meet Italy’s world number one Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, in the final as the two young stars continue to build an exciting rivalry.
The record 32-time US champions have selected a strong team led by US Open finalist Taylor Fritz and are also among the most likely contenders.
Nadal faced Alcaraz in Saudi Arabia at the Six Kings Slam in October, losing in straight sets, but they will be fighting for the same goal in Andalusia.
The start of the Billie Jean King Cup has been delayed due to a weather warning in the Malaga region following devastating floods in eastern Spain.
Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, said the Valencia floods had increased his motivation to help his country win.
“I’m here to give my grain of sand because playing for Spain is the most important thing for me,” he continued.
Tennis greats and stars from other sports are among those keen to watch Nadal’s farewell, with career rivals Djokovic and Roger Federer among those expected to be in attendance.
Spain will face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, with the winner facing either Germany or Canada in the semi-finals.
Defense of Italy
A year ago, Italy ended a 47-year wait to repeat the Davis Cup by beating Australia, where Sinner was their key player, in the final and are favorites to defend their title.
The Australian Open and US Open winner is still awaiting a decision on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal against him.
Sinner tested positive twice for traces of anabolic steroids in March, but was cleared of blame by the International Tennis Agency in August.
Italy will face Argentina in the quarter-finals, with the winner facing the USA or Australia.
Australia, led by Lleyton Hewitt, finished second last year and trails only the United States in Davis Cup victories, having won the title 28 times.
The final will take place next Sunday, with all matches taking place at the Martin Karpena indoor hard surface arena.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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