Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal will cap his emotional farewell to tennis at the Davis Cup final in Malaga this week, although he admits he may not make it to the courts.
Nadal, 38, has suffered from injuries in recent years and it is unclear how well he can 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 she lifted the trophy and the fourth for Nadal.
“First of all, we will have to see how I feel in training and, if I really don’t feel that I have a chance to win in singles, I will be the first one not to want to play,” Nadal said. during the press conference. weekend.
“If I don’t feel ready, I will be the first to speak to the captain (David Ferrer). I have already told him several times not to make any decisions based on the fact that it is my last week as than a professional tennis player.”
Roland-Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz will be Spain’s best player and his presence gives Nadal a real chance to retire on a good note.
“Probably one of the most special tournaments I will play. Rafa’s last tournament, I will be able to be by his side in the last moments on a tennis court for him,” said Alcaraz, who played alongside Nadal in doubles at the Paris Olympics this year.
“I think this is the most important thing for Rafa, for his last tournament. I really want him to retire with a title. It will be really, really emotional and it will be a really special tournament for me.”
– ‘Good adios’ –
Representing Spain, Nadal also won singles gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and triumphed in doubles at Rio 2016 alongside Marc Lopez.
But injuries to former world number one Nadal in the twilight of his career saw his ranking fall to 155th.
The last of his 92 career titles came with his 14th French Open and his 22nd major at Roland Garros in 2022.
He has not played a competitive singles match since losing to Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics in July. In 2023, he has only played four times.
Many are hoping that Spain and Alcaraz will meet reigning champion Jannik Sinner’s Italy in the final, as the two young stars continue to build on a captivating rivalry.
The 32-time champion United States has selected a strong team led by US Open finalist Taylor Fritz and is also among the most likely contenders.
Tennis greats and stars from other sports are among those clamoring to attend Nadal’s farewell, with career rivals Djokovic and Roger Federer among those expected.
Spain will face the Netherlands on Tuesday in the round of 16, with the winner facing Germany or Canada in the semi-final.
“It’s incredible that this is the last match Nadal plays,” Dutch coach Paul Haarhuis said on Sunday. “We hope to give him a nice adios!”
– Italian defense –
Italy ended a 47-year wait to win the Davis Cup again a year ago by beating Australia in the final with Sinner as the key player and are favorites to defend their title.
The Australian Open and US Open winner is still waiting for the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal against him to be resolved.
Sinner tested positive twice for traces of an anabolic steroid in March, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency cleared him in August.
The 23-year-old heads to Malaga in fine form after winning the ATP Finals title in Turin on Sunday.
Italy will face Argentina in the quarter-finals, with the winner facing the United States or Australia.
Under the leadership of Lleyton Hewitt, Australia finished runners-up last year and are just behind the United States for Davis Cup triumphs, winning the title 28 times.
American star Fritz, runner-up to Sinner at the ATP Finals, is also eager to pay tribute to Nadal.
“When I was a kid, I was on the court pretending to play at the French Open. He had a huge impact on my whole generation because we all grew up watching him and Roger,” said Fritz, who will become a career-high four in the world on Monday.
The Davis Cup Final will take place next Sunday and all matches will take place at the hard-court Martin Carpena Indoor Arena.
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