One last cut for Rafael Nadal before leaving the court

Seville, December 2004. Spain discovers a strange matador willing to leave his life on the Andalusian clay. Maroon sleeveless T-shirt that highlights inflated biceps, looks as black as his jet black locks, Rafael Nadal (51^my world) throws himself into the arena to challenge, racket in hand, the world number two in the Davis Cup final. The debutant defeats the American Andy Roddick and offers a crucial point to his country, which two days later lifts the silver cup. At 18 years and 187 days old, the left-hander became the youngest winner in the history of the team tennis competition and earned a nickname that will never be removed from his bandana: the “Bull of Manacor.”

Twenty years later, the Spanish legend with 22 Grand Slam titles enjoys one last rodeo at home before saying goodbye to the professional circuit. Same competition – certainly, in a version very far from its historical format – and same region as the setting. From Tuesday, November 19 (and until Sunday, November 24), Malaga hosts the final phase of the Davis Cup (quarterfinals, semifinals, final) and the eight qualified teams. That of Spain, headed by its captain, David Ferrer (ex-3^my world), faces the Netherlands on Tuesday in the quarterfinals. “The circle is closing, since one of my first great joys as a professional player was the final in Seville in 2004”Nadal justified in the video announcing his end of his career, broadcast on October 10 on social networks.

One unknown remains: the state of form of the 38-year-old player, whose body is asking for mercy after twenty-three years on the professional circuit. “If I could, I would continue playing tennis, but I don’t have the opportunity to play at a level that really satisfies me on a personal level. I wanted to give myself the opportunity to try again, it didn’t go as well as I would have liked, I couldn’t play without feeling limited. I did everything I could and I accept it without problem.” developed, this Monday, the former world number one, the object of all eyes during the Spanish press conference.

“The ideal endings are in American movies”

This season he has only played 19 games, his penultimate official tournament dating back to the Olympic Games at the end of July. Before participating in the Davis Cup, the Mallorcan made a brief trip to Saudi Arabia in mid-October to participate in a lucrative exhibition alongside Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.

In Malaga, the best tennis player in the history of his country is willing to sacrifice himself for his team and not play singles, or even stay on the sidelines, if he does not feel competitive. “There is no ideal ending. Ideal endings often appear in American films. (…) What I want is for the team to be competitive and be able to win the Davis Cup. My best goodbye would be the joy of winning with everyone. But I don’t know if I will play a game or not. “I haven’t played much lately.”acknowledges Nadal, who tried “working as hard as possible for a month and a half.”

The vertigo of imminent retirement? “I don’t pay attention to it.he assures. I know it will be a big change in my life, but I will think about it later. I’m here with the team and that’s what makes me happy. (…) If I’m on the court, I hope I can control my emotions. I’m not here to retire, I’m here to help the team. The emotions will come in the end. In the meantime, we must concentrate on what we have to do. »

Despite the fatigue of a season in which he won Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, Carlos Alcaraz has the firm intention of doing everything possible to give his glorious senior the finish he deserves and his fourth silver cup. “We want to win the title against Spain”recently heartbroken by deadly floods, “and also for Rafa”He secured the number three in the world in the sports newspaper. brand.

Whether the icon plays or not, the elite of world tennis – and even beyond – will be present on the edge of the hard courts of the Malaga Sports Palace to pay tribute to him. “All the tennis players who played during the same period want to be there. And athletes from other sports, from Spain and around the world, also want to be there”Feliciano López (ex-12) said at the beginning of November^my world), director of the Davis Cup. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have made it known that they do not want to miss the event, and it is rumored that Roger Federer will also be in the souvenir photo.