Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal is aiming to end his emotional farewell to tennis with a Davis Cup victory in Malaga next week. The 38-year-old Nadal has battled injuries in recent years and it remains to be seen how long he will be able to continue competing for his country, but all eyes will be on the 22-time Grand Slam champion. The veteran led Spain to victory in Madrid five years ago, and the previous victory was Nadal’s fourth. But he admitted on Saturday that his role in Malaga may be limited to doubles rather than singles.
“First of all, I need to see how I feel during practice. If I really feel that I have no chance of winning in singles, then I would be the first to not want to play,” Nadal said in a statement. . To the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET).
“If I feel like I’m not ready, the first thing I’m going to do is talk to the captain (David Ferrer). I’ve already told the captain several times that I don’t want to make any decisions based on the fact that today is my last week. I told him not to do it.”He is a professional tennis player. ”
French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz will be Spain’s main player and his presence gives Nadal a real chance to retire on a good note.
“It’s probably one of the most special tournaments I’ll ever play in. Rafa’s last tournament, and I’ll be there for him next to him in his final moments on the tennis court.” , said Alcaraz, who played alongside Nadal. She will compete in doubles at this year’s Paris Olympics.
“I think the last tournament is the most important for Rafa. I really hope he wins the title and retires. It’s going to be really, really emotional and it’s going to be a really special tournament for me. Dew.”
Spain’s Nadal won the gold medal in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won the doubles title in Rio in 2016 alongside Marc López.
However, former world No. 1 Nadal suffered a setback due to injury in the twilight years of his career, and his ranking has dropped to 155th.
The last of his 92 career titles was his 14th French Open and 22nd major at Roland Garros in 2022.
He has not played an official singles match since losing to Novak Djokovic at the Olympics in July, and only played in four matches in 2023.
Many expect Spain and Alcaraz to face defending champion Italy, led by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, in the final, but the two young stars continue their exciting rivalry. is building.
The United States, who have won a record 32 times, have fielded a strong team led by US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, who is also one of the favorites.
Nadal clashed with Alcaraz in Saudi Arabia at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in October, losing in straight sets, but he will be fighting for the same goal in Andalusia.
The opening of the Billie Jean King Cup has been postponed after devastating flooding in eastern Spain triggered a weather warning for the Malaga region.
World No. 3 Alcaraz said the floods in Valencia made him more motivated to help his country win.
“I came here to give my grain of sand, because playing for Spain is the biggest thing for me,” he continued.
Tennis greats and stars from other sports are also keen to see Nadal farewell, with career rivals Djokovic and Roger Federer also expected to be in attendance.
Spain will play the Netherlands in the last eight on Tuesday, with the winner facing either Germany or Canada in the semifinals.
italian defense
Italy defeated Australia in the final a year ago with Sinner as their main player, ending a 47-year wait to win the Davis Cup and becoming favorites to defend their title.
The Australian Open and US Open winners are still waiting for their appeals from the World Anti-Doping Agency to be resolved.
Sinner twice tested positive for traces of anabolic steroids in March, but the International Tennis Fairness Body cleared him of liability in August.
Italy will play Argentina in the quarterfinals, with the winner facing either the United States or Australia.
Australia, captained by Lleyton Hewitt, were runners-up last year and are second only to the United States in terms of Davis Cup wins, with 28.
The final will take place next Sunday, with all matches taking place on the indoor hard court Martin Carpena Arena.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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