The anticipation for the last event of Rafael Nadal's career is getting higher and higher. The retirement of the Spanish legend truly represents the end of an almost unrepeatable era, in which three players led tennis to a new dimension.
Roger Federer's retirement from the 2022 Laver Cup had been something of a prelude, while this year it will be Rafa's turn to say goodbye to professional tennis. The only survivor is Novak Djokovic, who will try to win his 25th Major title and the 100th title of his career next year.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion arrived in Malaga a couple of days ago and immediately started practicing, showing that he is in good shape after a long period of stop. The former world No. 1 has not played an official tournament since the Paris Olympics this summer, although he competed in the 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia last month.
All the members of the Spanish team have repeated that it will be Rafa who decides what role he will have in Malaga. The most likely option is that Nadal will only play doubles in this edition of the Davis Cup Finals, perhaps alongside his young compatriot Carlos Alcaraz as at the Olympic Games.
Rafa is practicing hardSpain are certainly one of the top favorites to lift the trophy, but they will need all its players to play their best tennis.
Davis Cup Finals Malaga honors Rafael Nadal© @ItzzZain10 and WeAreTennis X accounts
Recently, tournament director Feliciano Lopez commented on Rafa’s current status: “As far as I know, he is doing great. He is really looking forward to this special moment. It is going to be very exciting for everyone and also very emotional as it’s going to be his last professional tournament. You know, everyone is so excited.
Remember that Davis Cup is where everything kind of started for him when he played an amazing match in Seville against American Andy Roddick.
That was probably one of the turning points in his career and luckily his career is going to come to an end also playing Davis Cup. It’s a very nice thing. So we are very lucky that he is going to be retiring playing Davis Cup in his country, in Spain and in Malaga.
The most important thing for him is the team. He doesn’t want to do anything that can possibly affect the team. The priority for him is Spain and once they have finished in the competition, we can do something for him. We don’t know when that will be yet. There are a lot of uncertainties.”
An unforgettable momentThe 22-time Grand Slam champion has always been very honest and has promised that he will assess his shape with great sincerity. Rafa will continue to practice in the coming days and will understand if he feels ready to play singles in Malaga as well. Nadal has shocked the world many times throughout his career, and it wouldn't be so surprising if he played one last big match before ending his legendary career.
According to his uncle Toni, Rafa has practiced very well in recent weeks and has also welcomed his compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut into his Academy. The 14-time French Open champion is giving his best as he has always done in his career, wanting his last dance to be unforgettable. Fans are preparing to say goodbye to one of the greatest athletes ever.
In a recent interview, WTA legend Conchita Martinez discussed Nadal’s upcoming retirement: “This is going to be great to see, the atmosphere. People from the Billie Jean King Cup or from Davis Cup can move around into different courts and see great tennis, female and male. Of course for Spain, Rafa decided to retire at the Davis Cup – it’s going to be massive – but I don’t think it’s going to overshadow. In fact, I think it’s going to be helpful for the Billie Jean King Cup.”
She continued: “I can imagine he will play and for sure, if he’s there, I’m going to try and see him, and watch him practice, and talk to him while we’re there. This is the beauty of it, that we’re going to be in the same place.
What an amazing champion, what an amazing person, always willing to get better and always coming back stronger from injuries when you thought he was not going to, or not going to stand a chance to come back – and then he’d win another major.
Amazing competitor and an amazing role model for the young players, to never give up, give everything you can in practice and in your matches. I think he’s someone to look up to.”
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