David Ferrer unsure on Rafael Nadal future and retirement ahead of Davis Cup Finals - 'A very personal matter'

Published 24/09/2024 at 16:52 GMT

Rafael Nadal could be set for a return to action at the Davis Cup later this year. Nadal has been named in Spain's team for the Finals in Malaga. Captain David Ferrer has been speaking about what he expects from Nadal and whether the 22-time Grand Slam winner could retire from tennis. Spain, who also have Carlos Alcaraz in the team, face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

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David Ferrer says he expects Rafael Nadal to be in “top condition” if he plays at the Davis Cup Finals for Spain – but has not been drawn on whether he could retire at the event.

Nadal hasn’t played since teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz in the doubles for Spain at the Paris Olympic Games, withdrawing from the US Open and Laver Cup.

It is not known when he will return to the ATP Tour, but he has been named in Spain’s squad for the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November.

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It has been speculated that Nadal might bring the curtain down on his career at the Davis Cup Finals.

"It's a very personal matter; everyone retires how they want or how they feel like it," said Spain Davis Cup captain Ferrer, via Europa Press, about Nadal potentially retiring.

"I am not able to say what the ideal retirement is. You stop doing something that you have done all your life, that you have worked on all your life, and suddenly you stop doing it. As long as he is happy, it's good enough for me."

Nadal joins Alcaraz, Pablo Carreno Busta, Marcel Granollers and Roberto Bautista Agut in the Spain squad.

Spain face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, which take place on November 19-21.

Speaking about Nadal’s inclusion in the Spain squad, Ferrer said: "I know that if Rafa tells me that he wants to be in Malaga, he will be in top condition.

"In that respect, Rafa is very honest and wants to do well. I spoke with Rafa before we started competing in Valencia and before we qualified. He mentioned the idea and his desire to be there if we had the chance to qualify.

"The day after or two days after qualifying we talked, and his intention was to be prepared and excited to be in Malaga. It was very easy, and it was he who initiated it and wanted to be in the finals from the very beginning."

The question now is whether Nadal will play singles for Spain and if he might team up again with Alcaraz in doubles.

"I don't know," said Ferrer. "There are two months left, and everyone on the list has to compete. I couldn't say at this moment.

"The good thing is that there are many possibilities to pair up in doubles depending on physical exhaustion, how the tie progresses...

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"We have a very strong team to achieve important things, but in this format, the competition evens out a lot. They have a very good doubles team.

"You might have two good singles players, but if you lose one, things get much more complicated. Furthermore, it's a very tough tournament, with the top eight players in the world."

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is playing for Italy as they look to defend their Davis Cup title.

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