The next few days will be very emotional for all tennis fans, as Rafael Nadal will play the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, the last official event of his glorious career, a tournament that will be played from 19 to 24 November 2024. After finishing the event in front of his crowd, the 22-time Grand Slam champion will say goodbye to our beloved tennis after 20 years of triumphs and records.
Yesterday Nadal trained on the main court of the Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena for a practice session with Pedro Martinez, watched by both his coach Carlos Moya and Spain team captain David Ferrer.
Nadal x Ferrer x Moya 🌟🇪🇸
A legendary trio on Centre Court! #DavisCup | @RFETenis pic.twitter.com/vFWazH6rSJ
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 15, 2024
Spain will debut on Thursday 19 November, for the quarterfinals against the Netherlands. In the event of a move to the next round, if Germany were to beat Canada, the challenge between Alcaraz and Zverev could be repeated in the semifinals. Then, in the final, a possible clash with Italy.
Rafa, together with Carlos Alcaraz, Pedro Martinez, Roberto Bautista Agut and Marcelo Granollers make up the Spanish team that, in front of their fans, will try to win the seventh title in their history in the Davis Cup. After the elimination of the Spanish team from the Billie Jean King Cup at the hands of Poland, the hopes of triumph are in the hands of the 14-time champion at the French Open and his teammates. The last title dates back to 2019, the last of five successes by Rafa with the Spanish national team.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Facebook – Copa Davis
Rafa was praised by Carlitos Alcaraz in an interview with the Italian media Gazzetta dello Sport. The 4-time Grand Slam champion said that playing in Paris with his legendary countryman was a dream. Carlos said that Rafa has always been his idol, stressing that he considers him one of the best athletes, if not the best, that Spain has ever had.
“The news of his retirement was not pleasant for any of us, but the fact that he is saying goodbye in Spain, in Malaga, playing in the Davis Cup, will make this event special for our entire country. It will be even more special for me, since I will be able to live that week side by side with my hero,” expalined Alcaraz.