Rafael Nadal is immersed in his preparation to compete in the Finals of the Davis Cup that will be played in Malaga from November 19 to 24 and will mean a withdrawal as a professional player who faces naturally and aware of his situation. “If I really don’t see myself ready to have a chance of winning the individual, I’m the first one who won’t want to play,” he said this Friday.
The winner of 22 Grand Slams arrived in Malaga this Thursday and Shortly after, he exercised at the facilities of the Martín Carpena Sports Palace. which for two weeks concentrates the most relevant events in world tennis. First with the final phase of the Billie Jean King Cup and then with the Davis Cup.
Nadal is part of David Ferrer’s team but he does not want his upcoming goodbye from tennis to affect the team’s competitive perspective. “First we have to see how I’m feeling these days in training and If I really don’t see myself ready to have a chance of winning the individual, I’ll be the first one who won’t want to play.“Nadal indicated in an interview with the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation.
The Spaniard, who has in his history five of the six Davis Cup titles that Spain has, He is excited to return to the slopes. His last presence in a tournament, apart from the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, is the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“More or less I have been able to do a good preparation that is why I am here,” says the Spaniard. “You have to see on a day-to-day basis, I haven’t competed for a while and The reality is that I want to live this week no matter what way it is.. And in this sense, with the hope of closing a very beautiful and long stage of my life, living these last moments with hope, with normality too and, well, from the acceptance of what is a beginning and an end,” he indicates. Rafa Nadal.
Nadal has a special love affair with the Davis Cup and team events. “I think my first great joy as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup in 2004”recalls the 38-year-old from the Balearic Islands.
“Therefore, as the circumstances have arisenI have been presented with the opportunity to be here“said the Spanish tennis player who still does not know the role he will have in these Davis Cup Finals.
“First we have to see how I’m feeling these days in training and if I really don’t see myself ready to have a chance of winning the individual, I’m the first one who won’t want to play. If I don’t look ready, I’m the first one to talk to the captain.“Nadal stressed that he does not want the fact that it is his last week as a professional to condition captain David Ferrer.
“I have already told David on many occasions it is Don’t make any decision based on what is my last week as a professional tennis player.“insisted the former world number one.
Nadal believes that Spain has a chance to win the tournament, its seventh Davis Cup. “Of course there are options. There are always options, the thing is that they are difficult surfaces. It’s a fast surface, really, but hey, anything can happen.”
The Manacor player looks back and is grateful for everything he has experienced and achieved in his career. “No, I can’t ask for anything more. “I am more than grateful and satisfied with everything that has happened to me during all these years,” he said.
“What I would like is obviously for the team to work well and have a chance to win a Davis Cup more whether playing or cheering from the stands,” he noted.
“I am here to live this week with enthusiasm and then we will see what happens”concluded Rafael Nadal days before his last performance as a professional.