The interest in the year-end Davis Cup Final has increased since Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz were officially confirmed to compete for Spain. There is a growing expectation that it could be Nadal’s last event as a professional. The 22-time Grand Slam Champion – including 14 at the French Open – had stated that the current season would be his last.
Nadal has been struggling with fitness issues for two years. He previously began the 2022 season with the Australian Open and French Open titles. Since then, physical problems have derailed him to add more triumphs. His last appearance was at the Paris Olympics where he was trashed by his longtime rival, Novak Djokovic.
Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz May Revive Partnership
Spain team captain, David Ferrer, had named Nadal and Alcaraz with Roberto Bautista, Pablo Carreno, and Marcel Granollers. Nadal and Alcaraz are expected to play together in the men’s doubles, just like when they represented Spain at the Olympic Games. This pair generated much attention and reached the quarterfinals, but lost to Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
Ferrer has stated that Nadal wanted to be in Malaga if Spain qualified to the Final 8. And with the presence of the former world number one alongside his team, it would be easier to combine the doubles. Fans will love to see Nadalcaraz together one more time. But there would be another possibility for Ferrer.
Alcaraz and Granollers have played well in the group stage since Granollers is a doubles specialist. However, Nadal could be more available to play in doubles if he is not fit enough to play in the singles. Some fans even believed that it would be Nadal’s last dance to wrap up his professional career on his home soil.
Alcaraz Has Different Wishes For Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz welcomed the addition of Rafa to the Spanish squad in the Davis Cup. Alcaraz – now the world No. 3 – hoped the event in Malaga would not mark the end of Nadal’s career. Nadal was a surprise choice for the Davis Cup. The 38-year-old subsequently missed the US Open and the Laver Cup this month over fitness concerns.
Nadal has stated he expects to end his injury-plagued career this year after a hip injury limited his performances in 2023. Alcaraz seems to have a different wish for Nadal. “I missed him in the Laver Cup. Obviously, as much time as I can spend with him, it’s a privilege for me,” said Alcaraz.
The Perfect Setting For The Legend
The Davis Cup tournament director Feliciano Lopez admitted the presence of a Spanish team on home soil will add to the spectacle this year. “I have the feeling that some great things are going to happen,” said the former Spain’s Davis Cup star. Last year, without the presence of Spain in the Davis Cup final in Malaga, the atmosphere was spectacular.
Nadal 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. The Davis Cup is a tournament that Nadal has won four times. He won the event in his 2004 debut, then three titles after that were obtained in 2009, 2011, and 2019.
The 2024 edition will take place from November 19-24 at the Martin Carpenter Arena. The other seven countries that will take place are Italy, Argentina, the United States, Australia, Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands. Spain will face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
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