The Davis Cup Finals - which will take place in Malaga in November - will have an even deeper meaning this year. Rafael Nadal will say goodbye to professional tennis at this very event, where he will have the chance to represent his country for the last time in his legendary career.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion made this decision a short while ago, when he realized that his body no longer met his needs and that it would be impossible to win important titles again. Rafa played some tournaments in 2024, but his results were not good for a legend of his caliber and new injuries affected him during the season. Even his beloved red clay didnt give him joy this year, with early eliminations at both the French Open and the Paris Olympics.
The 14-time French Open champion is playing the 'Six Kings Slam' this week and was defeated by his young compatriot Carlos Alcaraz yesterday. Nadal showed a decent condition and made a good impression, but he is no longer competitive to play at the highest levels. Former world number 1 will face his great rival Novak Djokovic tomorrow in the final for third and fourth place.
Rafa made history
The news of Rafas retirement has shaken the whole world and everyone wanted to dedicate a thought to an athlete who made modern sport history transcending tennis. To be able to close the balance in the H2H with Rafael Nadal in a tie is an achievement that only very few tennis players can boast.
One of these is American aceTaylor Fritz, who in four games played against the Majorcan legend has managed to prevail on two occasions. Unforgettable for the American tennis player, that obtained in 2022 in the final of Indian Wells with a score of 6-3 7-6(5), who broke a 20-year-long streak of 22-time Grand Slam champion from the beginning of the year and gave Fritz his first and only title in a Master 1000.
The 26-year-old American recently expressed his opinion on the Spanish tennis players retirement, which will take place after the Davis Cup Finals scheduled in Malaga. This is the comment from former number five on the news of Nadals retirement: "Many people expected his retirement to be announced. I was very surprised that it will take place in the Davis Cup, many expected it to take place at Roland Garros, in Madrid or in Barcelona. He has long tried to recover and the fact that the withdrawal will take place in the Davis Cup shows that he has been trying to play for a long time".
Fritz said he was lucky to have the opportunity to challenge the champion of Manacor. "I was very lucky to be able to play against Rafa a couple of times, in his last full year, with a relatively solid calendar. I grew up watching Rafa, he and Roger dominated the sport, and it was an honor to be able to play at the same time someone I watched on TV when I was a kid. It was an honor to play with him, it is the end of an era", concluded the American.
A huge legacy
Nadals career has been longer than expected, considering that he has had to deal with many injuries over the years due to his very demanding playing style. Rafa returned to action in Saudi Arabia and played a good match against Alcaraz, although he never gave the feeling of being able to create problems for the 4-time Grand Slam champion.
At the end of the match, the Spanish legend revealed her feelings to DAZNs microphones: "Its been a pleasure. Carlos was too good. Hes been playing fantastic the last few years, better and better. I think it was a good performance from myself, but it wasnt even enough to play against an animal like him. I think he doesnt need much advice now. Hes showing everyone that he has a great team next to him and a great family.
Rafa also praised Carlitos: "So I think hes going to be going very well with what he has. Hes learning all the time and we can see that hes evolving in every single way. But of course, I will be ready anytime he wants to call me. I heard hes winning, hes special. People were telling me that somebody very good is coming now. But of course, I didnt have the chance to watch him play until I was practicing with him in Australia in 2021. And even if he was very young, you saw things that you dont see in the others. You can see now."
