Rafael Nadal is in Malaga! The 22-time Major winner arrived in Malaga for the Davis Cup Finals, preparing to defend the national colors for the last time and retire from tennis after an incredible journey. The legend trained at home in Mallorca ahead of traveling to Malaga, working on his game and hoping to compete in at least one tie.
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Rafa closes the circle
Nadal debuted in the Davis Cup in 2004, helping his country winthe title over the USA. Rafa has always given his best while playing for Spain, embracing a 29-1 singles record and delivering all eight victories during his latest campaign in 2019. The veteran hopes to finish his career on the court, two decades after representing his country for the first time!
The 22-time Major winner was off to a great start in 2022, conquering the Australian Open and Roland Garros. He left Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer behind before experiencing issues in the second part of the season. Nadal wrapped up the season ranked 2nd but lost the form and momentum, experiencing a massive hip injury at the Australian Open 2023.
Rafa underwent surgery and finished the season, taking a break and working on his comeback in the second part of the year. Eager to extend his tennis journey, Nadal entered the ATP 250 event in Brisbane at the beginning of the current season. He reached the quarter-final but blew match points against Jordan Thompson, feeling the pain around his hip and skipping the Australian Open.
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Rafa hurt his abdominal muscles in February and extended his break until April. The king of clay scored five wins in Barcelona, Madrid and Rome, playing miles below his usual level and gathering dark clouds ahead of Roland Garros. The 14-time winner faced world no. 4 Alexander Zverev in the first round and fell 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.
Nadal stayed on the court for three hours and five minutes, giving everything but missing his chances. The veteran led 5-4 in the second set but failed to bring it home, losing the set in the tie break and hitting the exit door in the third. Rafa skipped the grass season and entered the ATP 250 event in Bastad ahead of the Olympic Games.
The legend stopped the clock and defeated four rivals to enter the first ATP final in over two years. However, he lost steam and fell to Nuno Borges in straight sets, missing a chance to claim another ATP title. Nadal injured his right thigh and experienced another brutal draw at the Olympic Games. He defeated Marton Fucsovics in the first match and arranged the Novak Djokovic clash.
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The Serb ousted the Spaniard 6-1, 6-4, celebrating a win in their 60th and last meeting on the Tour. Novak dominated and forged a 6-1, 4-0 advantage. Rafa turned the tables and pulled both breaks back, locking the result at 4-4 and adding more drama. However, Djokovic broke him in the ninth game and sealed the deal with a hold at 5-4.
Nadal skipped the US Open and announced his retirement at the Davis Cup Finals, training and hoping to compete if his great friend David Ferrer picks him over Roberto Bautista Agut and Pablo Carreno Busta.
