Nadal: "If I don't see myself ready to win the singles, I am the first one who doesn't want to play"

Mónica Barberán Munera | 15 Nov 2024 | 22.40

Rafael Nadal at the Davis Cup 2024. Photo: Getty

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Next week will be a tough, sad, yet exciting week. Rafa Nadal will once again defend Spain's flag in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals to be held in Malaga between November 19th and 24th. The joy of seeing the Balearic player in the tournament he has won five times fades slightly when we remember something. This will be Rafa's farewell tournament, marking the end of one of the most successful careers in tennis history.

Among those successes is the Davis Cup, where he made his debut at the age of 17 back in 2004 by defeating the then world number 2, Andy Roddick. In an interview with RFET, Nadal talked about how he is approaching the last commitment of his career and how he feels physically to face a possible singles match: "My first big joy as a professional tennis player, I believe, was the 2004 Davis Cup. So, as circumstances have unfolded. Well, I've had the opportunity to be here. We'll have to see how I feel during these training days and if I don't really see myself ready to have a chance to win the singles, I'll be the first one not wanting to play. If I don't feel prepared, then I'll be the first to talk to the captain. I've told him on occasions, not to make any decisions based on what is my last week as a professional tennis player".

Both Rafa and the Spanish captain, David Ferrer, understand the importance of the event for the Balearic player, but they also want to be realistic. Nadal's current form is what it is, and the first step is to see how he feels on the court after the upcoming training sessions before his debut on Tuesday, November 19th. "I talked to David, and he said he counted on me. I told him I would prepare as best I could, and then we would see. I think I've been able to have more or less a good preparation, which is why I'm here. Then we'll see on a day-to-day basis. I've been out of competition for a while, and the reality is that I look forward to living this week, in whatever way it may be. So, with the excitement of closing a very beautiful and long stage of my life, experiencing these last moments with enthusiasm, in a normal way as well. And, well, accepting what is both a beginning and an end".

Spain, with a chance to win the Davis Cup

Accompanying Nadal will be Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista, Pedro Martínez, and Marcel Granollers. The player from Murcia will undoubtedly lead the team, playing his first Finals and, moreover, alongside his great idol with whom he played doubles at the Olympics a few months ago. It is still uncertain if they will team up again this time, as Granollers seems to be essential if a third deciding match is needed. Therefore, do you see Spain having a chance to lift the Davis Cup this 2024? "Of course, there are chances, there are always chances. The thing is, the surfaces are tough, it's fast, really. But, well, anything can happen," he said.

Grateful for his career, Rafa will focus on enjoying the moments he has left, with or without the Davis Cup: "I can't ask for anything more. I'm more than grateful and satisfied with everything that has happened to me over all these years. What I would obviously like is for the team to perform well and have a chance to win one more Davis Cup, whether by playing or cheering from the stands. And I'm here to live this week with enthusiasm and then see what happens".

Las primeras palabras de la última #DavisCup de Rafa 🎙️📹🇪🇸

Preparado, motivado y con ganas de soñar 💫🏆#CopaDavis #MAPFREtenis pic.twitter.com/00OtuohYb3
— Tenis España (@RFETenis) November 15, 2024