Rafael Nadal is ready to take a seat out singles matches on the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga if he feels he isn’t match to contribute to Spain’s success in what will likely be his farewell match.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, burdened by years of accidents, will retire after the Davis Cup, bringing an finish to his illustrious 20-year profession on tour.
“I’ll try to prepare as best as possible so I can be available to play, but I want to help in any way I can, playing or not playing,” the 38-year-old Nadal mentioned Saturday from Malaga in an interview printed by the Spanish Tennis Federation.
“First, we have to see how I’m feeling in training. If I really don’t see myself ready to have a chance of winning in singles, I’ll be the first to say I don’t want to play.”
Nadal’s singles document in 2024 is 12-7. His final official competitors was the Paris Olympics in August, the place he misplaced within the second spherical to longtime rival – and eventual gold medalist – Novak Djokovic. Nadal reached the doubles quarterfinals with Carlos Alcaraz. Last month, he performed two exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia.
“I have already told (Spain captain David Ferrer) on many occasions not to make any decision based on the fact that this is my last week as a professional tennis player,” Nadal mentioned. “The team comes first, and he should not be affected in the slightest by any hype that may come along because of me. He has to do what is best for the team, and that is what I want.”
Spain will open Tuesday towards the Netherlands, and if it wins, it’s going to advance to the semifinals on Friday towards Canada or Germany.
“My first great joy as a professional tennis player was in the Davis Cup in 2004,” Nadal mentioned.
He helped Spain win the Davis Cup in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019.
“I’m more than grateful for everything that has happened to me in all these years. I obviously would like for the team to do well and for me to have the chance to win another Davis Cup, whether by playing or cheering from the stands. I’d like to enjoy this week and close a very beautiful and very long cycle of my life … accepting that everything has a beginning and an end.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com