Malaga is set to witness the final chapter of a legendary tennis career as Rafael Nadal prepares to retire at the conclusion of the Davis Cup Finals, scheduled from November 19 to 24. Despite the emotional significance of the event, Nadal has stated he will reserve his emotions for the end, remaining focused on helping Spain secure another Davis Cup title in front of a home crowd.
Thousands of fans have gathered to see Nadal compete professionally one last time. The Palacio de Deportes, the venue for the Davis Cup Finals, lacked a press room large enough to accommodate the significant number of journalists covering the event. As a result, Spain’s press conference was moved to a five-star hotel where the team is staying, according to the BBC. Despite the team manager urging the media to direct questions to the entire squad, much of the attention centered on Nadal and his farewell.
Spain will face the Netherlands in the quarterfinal on November 19, with the semifinals slated for November 22 and 23. The title match will take place on Sunday, November 24.
The Spanish team boasts a star-studded lineup for the knockout stages, including Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Pedro Martnez for singles, along with doubles specialist Marcel Granollers. Nadal has expressed uncertainty about playing singles, citing a lack of match practice in 2024.
Nadal remains determined not to be a distraction for his teammates, emphasising that he is in Málaga as part of a united team focused on winning the prestigious men’s team tournament.
“If I’m on the court I hope to control my emotions. I’m not here to retire. I’m here to help the team win. It’s my last week in a team competition and the most important thing is to help the team. The emotions will come at the end. Before and after, I’ll be focused on what I have to do,” Nadal told the reporters on Monday.
“I feel good, I’ve been thinking about it for quite some time. I’ve been trying to give myself a chance and I decided over time. I’m enjoying the week, I’m not paying much attention to the retirement thing.
“It will be a big change in my life after this week. I’m very excited and happy to be here.”
IDEAL ENDINGS ONLY IN AMERICAN MOVIES: NADAL
Nadal said he is not sure of playing for Spain this week with captain David Ferrer saying a call would be taken before the start of the quarter-final.
Nadal said he is not looking for a fitting farewell, adding he will go out as a content man even if he doesn’t get an opportunity to play in the knockout stages for Spain.
“Sport is not mathematics and you can’t predict what will happen. I’m going to enjoy myself as much as possible both on the court and if I have to be on the sidelines,” he said.
“There are no ideal endings. Ideal endings usually happen in American movies. It’s not something that worries me in that sense. My farewell is going to be what it’s going to be.
“What I want is for the team to be competitive and to be able to win the Davis Cup. My big farewell would be the joy of winning with everyone,” he added.
“I don’t know if I’ll play a match or not. I’ve played very little in recent times.”
Nadal played in only seven tournaments in 2024 after having missed the majority of 2023 in which he underwent surgery for a hip injury. Nadal last competed in the Paris Olympics, in which he lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round in singles. He partnered with Carlos Alcaraz in doubles at the Games, but the star pair was knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Nadal has been part of five title-winning campaigns for Spain with the recent one coming in 2019.
