Rafael Nadal is eager to defend the national colors in November at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga! The Spanish Davis Cup captain, David Ferrer, asked his great friend to join the team and play singles against Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarter-final. The 22-time Major winner said he will be ready, feeling motivated to extend his incredible Davis Cup journey. Rafa will compete at the Six Kings Slam event in Saudi Arabia in a couple of weeks. David would love to see him play another event ahead of the Davis Cup Finals to raise his form after taking a break following the Olympic Games. Alongside the legend, Ferrer called Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers to chase the Davis Cup crown in front of the home fans, the first since 2019. Carlos will stand as the biggest hope of the home nation, and Rafa will try to help him in the second singles rubber. The 38-year-old has played 19 singles matches in 2024, not risking anything following last year’s hip injury that almost ended his career.
Feliciano Lopez & Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2019© Stream screenshot
Eager to extend his tennis journey, the 22-time Major winner recovered in the second part of 2023 and returned to action in the first week of the new season in Brisbane. Standing outside the top-600, Rafa ousted Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler before blowing three match points versus Jordan Thompson. Two rivals battled for three and a half hours, and the Spaniard felt the pain around his troubled hip, not risking anything and withdrawing from the Australian Open. Returning home and training for Doha and Indian Wells, Nadal injured his abdominal muscle and stayed away from the court until April. He missed the beginning of the clay swing and stepped on the court after 100 days in Barcelona. The king of clay fell to Alex de Minaur in the second round and performed better in Madrid, reaching the fourth round at the home Masters 1000 event.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2019© Stream screenshot
Rafael Nadal should play singles for Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in November.
Rafa could not repeat that in Rome, overpowering Zizou Bergs before taking only four games versus Hubert Hurkacz, struggling on serve and return and gathering dark clouds ahead of Roland Garros. The 14-time winner could not revive his Parisian magic, facing the Rome Masters champion Alexander Zverev in the first round. The German overpowered the Spaniard 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in three hours and five minutes, erasing the deficit in the second set and delivering Nadal’s earliest loss at his beloved Major. Alexander was off to a better start before Rafa responded in set number two, leading 5-4 and serving to level the overall score. Zverev pulled the break back and claimed the set in the tie break for a massive boost. The better-ranked player sealed the deal in the decider, leaving the 14-time winner empty-handed. As was expected, Nadal withdrew from the grass swing, missing Wimbledon and preparing for his second Roland Garros coming at the Olympic Games.
Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot
Rafa trained in Mallorca and Greece and entered the ATP 250 event in Bastad ahead of Paris, returning to Sweden for the first time since winning the title in 2005! The veteran passed Bjorn Borg in the first round and ousted Cameron Norrie for a place in the quarter-final, his second of the season. Nadal battled past Mariano Navone in three thrilling sets after nearly four hours, losing a lot of energy but returning the next day against Duje Ajdukovic. The king of clay prevailed in three sets and entered his first ATP final in over two years! Still, he stood no chance against Nuno Borges, taking five games and settling for the runner-up spot. Also, Rafa injured his right thigh, missing a couple of practice sessions at Roland Garros but entering the Olympic Games. Nadal ousted Marton Fucsovics in the first round and set the 60th clash versus his greatest rival, Novak Djokovic. The Serb was the favorite, and he proved that in a 6-1, 6-4 victory, notching his third triumph over the Spaniard on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot
World no. 2 had the upper hand in the opening set, leaving the king of clay behind and carrying that momentum to forge a massive 4-0 advantage in the second set. Nadal made one last push and rattled off four games to lock the result at 4-4 and increase the drama. However, Novak kept his composure and delivered a decisive break in the ninth game before sealing the deal on serve in the next one. Rafa entered the doubles draw with Carlos and passed three opponents for a place in the quarter-final. They fell to Krajicek and Ram in straight sets, ending their Olympic Games gold medal dreams. As expected, Nadal withdrew from the US Open and the Laver Cup. He trains at home in Mallorca ahead of the Six Kings Slam, and we should see him competing at the Davis Cup Finals in November if he stays healthy and maintains a desired level.
Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot
“Rafa is an honest person, and if he steps on the court, he will give 100%. His competitiveness is second to none, and he can be unbeatable in a single match that does not require too much physical effort. Rafa is thrilled to be a part of the Davis Cup squad. He called me before the Finals stage, saying he would love to compete in November. Rafa will play singles against the Netherlands if he stays fit and trains properly. When the draw came out, I texted him and said to get ready to face Botic van de Zandschulp. Rafa’s response was: ‘I will be ready.’ I would love to see him playing another event after the Six Kings Slam and prepare for the Davis Cup Finals, and I will discuss that with him,” David Ferrer said.