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Agence France-Presse

Associated Press

Rafael Nadal hopes to save his emotions over his retirement until the end of the Davis Cup competition and says the focus remains on Spain’s upcoming quarter-final tie against the Netherlands.
Ahead of the final professional tournament of his career, Nadal and his Spanish teammates spoke to the media in anticipation of the hosts’ clash against the Dutch in Malaga on Tuesday.
“I am not here for retiring. I’m here to try to help the team,” Nadal said on Monday
“It’s of course going to be my last week on the professional tour, but at the end, we are here in a teams competition.”
“The most important thing here is to stay all focused on what we have to do, [and] that is to play tennis and to do it very well. Because the rival is going to be difficult, and the conditions are difficult too.

“So then the emotions are going to be for the end.”
Spain are scheduled to face the Dutch on an indoor hard court at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in Malaga. The winner will play in the semi-finals on Friday, with the championship decided on Sunday.
Nadal, who will draw the curtains on a record-breaking career that has spanned nearly 23 years, has not competed in an official singles match since his second-round exit at the Olympics in July.
The former world No 1 has worked hard for the past six weeks to be ready for the Davis Cup but said it will ultimately be the decision of Spain captain David Ferrer on whether he would be playing in singles or doubles against the Netherlands.
“Of course, when you are not competing very often, it’s a little bit more difficult to hold the level on a constant basis. I’ve had good moments and more difficult moments. I think the improvement is there every day, but, I mean, we have a great team,” said Nadal.
“All these players on the tour are playing very well, having great seasons. It’s the work of the captain to decide what he feels is better for the team.”
Ferrer said he had decided on his line-up for the quarter-finals and would reveal his selections on Tuesday ahead of the tie.
Nadal, who owns a 29-1 win-loss record in Davis Cup singles matches and an 8-4 record in doubles, has not competed in the inter-nation team competition since 2019, when he helped Spain win a sixth Davis Cup title.
He is joined in Spain’s squad this week by reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez and Marcel Granollers.

Said Alcaraz: “His last moments on court probably are going to be super special. Not [just] for me, but for everyone. For me, for the team, and for everyone here in Spain, it’s going to be an emotional day.”
Nadal’s body has been ravaged by injuries throughout his career, but particularly during the past two years, and this led him to make the decision to hang up his racquet, admitting he was unable to sustain a competitive level on tour.
“I achieved the most important thing for me, because I arrived to this day and I am in peace that I gave all that I had,” said Nadal.
“I’m going to leave this professional tour with the calm and with the personal satisfaction that I gave my best almost in every single moment.”
Nadal said he was “not worried” about the next chapter of his life and that he had to “accept the process” of experiencing this significant change.
Novak Djokovic, Nadal’s fiercest rival, said he planned to be in Malaga for the Spaniard’s final tournament. Asked if Roger Federer would be making an appearance, Nadal said: “I didn’t talk to Roger. I think Roger has a busy schedule.
“This is going to be my last week on the professional tour, but I don’t think it’s going to be my last goodbye. So there’s going to be other chances to do something.”


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Rafael Nadal last competed in the Davis Cup in 2019, when he helped Spain win the title. Photo: Reuters

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Tennis

In his final tournament, the former world No 1 says team captain David Ferrer will decide what role he plays, if any, against the Netherlands


In his final tournament, the former world No 1 says team captain David Ferrer will decide what role he plays, if any, against the Netherlands.


Rafael Nadal

‘Not here for retiring’: Rafael Nadal insists focus is on helping Spain win Davis Cup tie

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}In his final tournament, the former world No 1 says team captain David Ferrer will decide what role he plays, if any, against the Netherlands

In his final tournament, the former world No 1 says team captain David Ferrer will decide what role he plays, if any, against the Netherlands