Rafael Nadal has not played since the Paris Olympics after being forced to undergo surgery on his left foot, with the Davis Cup finals likely to be his final event in Spain colours
Carlos Alcaraz is adamant that the idea of Rafael Nadal hanging up his racket after the Davis Cup finals is far from reality.
The dynamic Spanish duo are set to join forces for Spain’s five-man squad at the prestigious tournament in November. Despite Nadal’s battle with injuries, which has forced the 22-time Grand Slam champion to miss significant tournaments including the US Open and the Laver Cup, Alcaraz remains hopeful.
Their last match together was a doubles quarter-final at the Paris Olympics before Nadal withdrew from subsequent events. However, Alcaraz played a pivotal role in Team Europe’s triumph at the Laver Cup without Nadal by his side, reports the Express.
The upcoming Davis Cup finals in Malaga have been speculated as the ideal stage for Nadal to retire, but Alcaraz isn’t ready to entertain such thoughts just yet. He said: “It’s incredible to have Rafa on the team and to surround myself with him as much as possible, learning both on and off the court.
“I don’t want to think that it might be a possible ‘last dance’ for him in Malaga. I want to enjoy the time I can have with him on and off the court.”
Alcaraz, who has already clinched four Grand Slam titles himself, is eager to contribute to Spain’s quest for their seventh Davis Cup trophy. They’re gearing up to take on the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
As for Nadal’s future, the tennis world eagerly awaits his decision, especially after the legend’s cryptic response when questioned about his retirement plans.
Nadal addressed retirement rumours, stating: “I understand the questions about retirement, because it’s been many years, and because I’ve gone through many physical problems, especially these last two years. It’s a normal question.
“But in the end there comes a time when I can’t live every day thinking about retirement, because then you don’t end up really trying.”
Nadal has been playing tennis for over two decades (
Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
The upcoming Davis Cup finals running from 19-24 November will include two singles and one doubles match, with Spain’s line-up down to team captain David Ferrer.
When questioned on Nadal’s potential retirement in Malaga, Ferrer said this week: “I don’t know if it’s the perfect retirement. Retirement is very personal and everyone retires as they feel like it or as they can… It’s something very personal, I’m not able to say what is the ideal retirement.
“In the end, you stop doing something you’ve been doing all your life and that’s never easy to handle. But whatever Rafa decides, knowing him, I know that he has his concerns and that he is happy. And as long as he’s happy, it’s fine with me.”
On Nadal’s potential retirement decision, he added: “In the end, you stop doing something you’ve been doing all your life and that’s never easy to handle. But whatever Rafa decides, knowing him, I know that he has his concerns and that he is happy. And as long as he’s happy, it’s fine with me.”
