Madrid. Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal can bid goodbye to the game without playing a singles farewell match at his home. If he feels that he is not able to lead the team to success in his farewell tournament in Spain, then he may take a difficult decision. He is set to miss the singles matches in the Davis Cup final in Malaga. 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal is retiring after the Davis Cup.
Nadal was troubled by injuries in the last phase of his 20-year career. “I will try to prepare as best as possible,” Spain’s 38-year-old Nadal said in an interview published by the Spanish Tennis Federation from Málaga on Saturday. I can be available to play because I want to help in any way I can, whether I play or not. First of all we have to see how I am feeling in training. If I don’t see myself ready to win in singles, I will be the first person not to play.
In the year 2024, Nadal’s win-loss record in singles is 12-7. His last official competition was the Paris Olympics in August. He lost in the second round to his old rival and gold medal winner Novak Djokovic. He reached the doubles quarterfinals with Carlos Alcaraz. Last month he played two exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia. Nadal said, “I have already told (Spain captain David Ferrer) on several occasions not to take any decision based on this fact. This is my last week as a professional tennis player.
He said, “The team comes first and it should not be affected at all by any hype caused by me. He has to do what’s best for the team and that’s what I want.
Spain will play its first match against the Netherlands on Tuesday and if it wins, it will advance to the semi-finals against Canada or Germany on Friday.
Tags: Davis Cup, Rafael Nadal
FIRST PUBLISHED : November 17, 2024, 2:37 PM IST
