As everyone knows by now, the Davis Cup Finals will also be an opportunity for fans to greet Rafael Nadal. The Spanish champion decided to retire at 38 and will represent his country for the last time in Malaga, before leaving professional tennis and dedicating himself full-time to his beautiful family.
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It was not an easy decision for the 22-time Grand Slam champion, who might have wanted to continue playing for another year and aim for the 2025 French Open. However, the signals sent by his body in 2024 and the results obtained in recent months have given him the right impetus to make a difficult and inevitable choice.
The former world number 1 has given his all for his career and has overcome many difficult moments, mainly due to injuries that have haunted him and brought him closer to retirement. Almost no one expected Rafa to win the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2022, despite his foot condition being so bad that he had to be anesthetized.
Toniwill not be present in Malaga
The last two seasons have been terrible for the 14-time French Open champion, who has played very little due to physical problems and has not returned to the level of his glorious past. Nadal will obviously be the most expected player in Malaga at the end of this month, but his condition is still very uncertain.
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Rafa recently played the 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia, where he faced Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic losing in both cases. The 22-time Grand Slam champion didnt seem very competitive in singles, which is why he could only be lined up in doubles by Spanish captain David Ferrer.
Many fans are wondering if Toni Nadal - Rafas uncle and coach for most of his career - will be in Malaga from 19th to 24th November. Contacted by 'Relevo' just these days, Toni has confided that he will not be present at the Davis Cup Finals due to work commitments already taken.
A very painful decision
The former world number one took some time to communicate his decision to retire, but he wanted to be sure that it was the right time. During a recent interview, the Spaniard opened up on his decision to start a new chapter of his life: I have accepted that this is coming to an end. I know it. In the end, the decision is more than made. I said last year that this would probably be my last year, and it will be. I just announced it a little later. People were expecting me to announce it before Roland Garros. I took the necessary time, in a decision that is a change in my life from what I have been doing for the last 30 years, because my tennis life does not start when I turn professional, it starts much earlier. To take a new direction in your life, you have to be sure, not make a decision based on what others tell you or what you might hear. It's something you have to be sure of.
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He also added: I am not able to do it continuously at the level and standards that compensate and motivate me. To come to that conclusion, I had to let some time pass and I think it was something I needed. I am not going to retire from something I have been doing all my life and that I enjoy doing with the doubt of waiting a little longer. Today, I am convinced of it."
Its amazing to think that the last title won by Rafa was a Major, the 2022 French Open, when he achieved one of the most incredible achievements of his career. The Spanish legend has already identified in Jannik Sinner and Carlitos Alcaraz the next symbols of the mens tour, having no opponents at their level until this moment.
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During an interview with Tennis Majors, ATP veteran Marin Cilic commented on this topic: With Roger, Andy and Rafa it happened very suddenly. You never know, its like life. You have to do your best. I think its a bit of a shame to see Roger and Rafa doing well, then being eliminated like that. Its the same thing with Andy when he was at the top and had these hip surgeries. This sport was a little cruel to them: they gave much to this sport, and yet everything flew away in a second. I hope to be competitive again, just to give myself a chance. I would like to play another two or three seasons. I will try to make the schedule by playing maybe less tournaments. The motivation is still there.
