“It will be the sporting event of the year”

On the island of Majorca life happens differently for Rafa Nadal. There, the world tennis legend, at 38, maintains intact his training routine at the academy that bears his name and is located nearby. Manacor. He always does it with one goal: to compete again. You already have a date for that: the final phase of the Cup Davis which will be held at Malagafrom November 19 to 24.

Nadal’s name was among those called by David Ferrercaptain of the Armada, to participate in the Final 8. Rafa looks back on this competition that he has won five times and that he had not played since his last victory in 2019. He will have as teammates Carlos Alcaraz, Robert Baptiste, Pablo Carreno And Marc-Marcel Granollers.

“It’s the sporting event of the year,” he said proudly. Felicien Lopezdirector of the Final, in statements to EFEas soon as Ferrer’s list was known. This is because of the mere presence of Nadal, but also because of the cloud hanging over the possible withdrawal of the winner of the 22 Grand Slam. The scenario is difficult to improve.

No one dares to say that word yet, although it is obvious that it is on everyone’s mind. “I would like him to do what comes from his heart, whatever he wants. Having him in the Spanish team in Malaga is too great a reward to ask for anything more. I don’t think the fact that this could be his last tournament as a professional changes my perspective. The fact that he is here and that Spain is competing with Carlos and him in the team, with David Ferrer on the bench… there are too many things together to want this to be his last tournament. “That for me is not transcendental,” Feliciano also said.

“It’s something so personal that I’m not able to say what the ideal withdrawal is,” David Ferrer also expressed during his appearance before the press. “The question of retirement is very personal, everyone retires as they wish or as they can.” […] “You have to do something you’ve done all your life and it’s never easy to deal with. Whatever Rafa decides, I know he has many concerns and that’s okay. As long as he’s happy, everything’s fine for me,” added the Spanish coach.

Nadal tries to stay away from any noise surrounding his professional future. “I understand the questions about retirement, because it’s been many years and because I’ve been through many physical problems, especially in the last two years. The question is normal. But in the end, there comes a time when I can’t live thinking about retirement every day, because then you don’t stop trying really hard,” he said in his recent interview in The anthill.

The last time he took to the court to play was at the Paris Olympics, alongside Alcaraz, and since then he has given up on the US Open and the Laver Cup because he does not feel qualified to perform at the required level. The exhibition that will be held in Saudi Arabia, from October 16 to 19, under the name of “Six Kings Slam” and which still bears Rafa’s name on its poster, is still on his calendar. As long as the Spaniard does not confirm anything, his participation remains unknown.

Nadal and Davis

At Davis, in addition to the emotional factor that accompanies Nadal, the conditions that favor Rafa’s presence in the final come together. If you feel that your physique cannot withstand the demands of a singles match, you could focus on doubles with a luxury partner, Marcel Granollers. The two have already played together in the 2019 final. Even the possibility of a new meeting with Carlos Alcaraz, who will lead the team, would be on the table.

Nadal’s farewell, for obvious reasons, is about to take place. Davis will be the first match ball, since Rafa was still imagining a last dance at Roland Garros in 2025 a few months ago. Of course, this thought may have already changed based on the feelings he has experienced recently. The decision is his alone. His farewell, whenever and wherever it is, will live up to what his legend deserves.