Yesterday afternoon, the various teams announced the non-definitive list of players who will participate in the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November. Given that this is a non-definitive list and subject to changes of the last hour, fans and insiders were shocked by the presence of Rafael Nadal in the Spanish selection.
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Although its presence in Malaga is not yet guaranteed, it is clear the desire of the Spanish legend to help his country in an event that has seen him as a protagonist many times. The former world number 1 was supposed to compete in the Laver Cup last weekend, but he was forced to give up as he is not yet at the top of his form. According to his schedule, the 22-time Grand Slam champion is expected to compete in the 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia in mid-next month along with Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune.
Rafas season has not been brilliant so far and the results have been far below expectations. The Spanish ace - who also had to skip several tournaments due to injury - was eliminated in the first round at the French Open and in the second round at the Paris Olympics, failing to win a medal even in doubles with his young compatriot Alcaraz.
Nadal's last dance
Many fans and insiders are convinced that the Davis Cup Finals could be the last event of Nadals legendary career before retirement.
David Ferrer, Spains Davis Cup captain, spoke of Rafael Nadals call-up to the Finals 8 in Malaga in November. Spain will play the Netherlands in their first quarter-final match and Ferrer explains how they got to Nadals squad: "I talked to Rafa before starting in Valencia in the September rounds. He talked a bit about the idea and his desire to be in Malaga with the team if we qualified. We talked and his idea was to be prepared and excited to be in Malaga. It was very easy since he wanted to be present from the first moment in the final".
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To those who ask him if this presence at the Davis Cup Finals could represent the moment of the retirement of Rafa, Ferrer responded: "Its a very personal thing, everyone chooses to retire as he wants. I cant tell what the perfect moment might be. Its very difficult to manage. But as long as Rafa is happy, thats fine with me".
To those who ask him if there will be a double Nadal-Alcaraz: "I dont know. Two months, I dont know at this moment. The good thing is that there are many possibilities to combine doubles depending on your physical condition. We have a great team to do important things". Finally, a question about the Spanish players' schedule from now until the end of the year: Nadal and Alcaraz will participate in the Six Kings Slam, an exhibition scheduled in October in Saudi Arabia: "It is an important exhibition and will play with great tennis players. If Nadal wants to be in Malaga I know he will be in top shape. It is very honest".
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A legendary champion
The former world number 1 has had a lot of problems in recent years and has struggled to play with the necessary continuity. His story is very similar to that of Swiss legend Roger Federer, who was unable to play much in the last phase of his career due to a serious knee injury.
In an interview during the 2024 Laver Cup, the Swiss Maestro paid tribute to Rafa: "Time wears you down. In the end, it may be useful to make a decision at some point. And if it were to end once and for all, you would also relax again and say: 'Luckily there's no more training, luckily there's no more matches...'.
I had high hopes that somehow he would manage to play a match, but he simply told us he preferred not to, that he can't and doesn't feel prepared. I think he has to decide what to do next, and I think that's the moment he is going through right now. He's done everything for this sport. It would be great if he could hold on for one more season, but only Rafa himself can answer that question."
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The 22-time Grand Slam champion hopes to end his legendary career on his terms, and the Davis Cup Finals in November could be the perfect setting for his final match. Nadal had said several times that 2024 would be his last year and its presence in 2025 seems unlikely.
