There is a possibility that he could be with us in Malaga in November,” the Davis Cup captain, David Ferrer, said of Rafael Nadal! This stirring news ignited a fervent hope among fans who are waiting for the Spaniard’s return to tennis after the Paris Olympics. Carlos Alcaraz, his Olympic doubles partner, who played a key role in sending the Spanish Davis Cup team (which is now in the Finals) to the Final 8 in the Davis Cup a few days ago, has sent a passionate message to his idol!
Due to his ongoing persistent physical struggles, Nadal, who earlier declared his potential retirement, has been very selective of his tournaments this season and has recently withdrawn from the US Open and Laver Cup as well. However, as the season nears its end, the 22 Grand Slam champion, who played a crucial role in propelling the Spanish team to success four times in the Davis Cup during his career, might return to the event again! At least, that’s what the Davis Cup captain, Ferrer, indicated. “I spoke to Rafa, but we don’t know anything yet…. If he arrives in good condition in November, he would certainly be a player can count on.”
Hearing this, Alcaraz echoed the same sentiment during an interview with Marca, stating, “I already heard that David said that if Rafa was there, that he was going to die with him. I hope I’m also physically well so I can go to Malaga. It’s something that makes me especially excited and I hope Rafa is also there.” Alcaraz, who played alongside Nadal and reached the Olympics quarterfinals, further praised childhood idol, hailing him as “one of the greatest in the history of our sport.”
While he regretted missing the opportunity to play with Nadal in Berlin (Laver Cup), the 21-year-old player, who last played against Nadal in 2022 Madrid Open, admitted how he learned to play by watching the former World No. 1’s tennis since childhood, calling him a ‘unique tennis player.’ Although Nadal has made no official statement about his return to the Davis Cup, rumors about his potential retirement at the event have become the talk of the town.
However, amid the speculations, Nadal has made one thing clear: his affection for his compatriot, Alcaraz, especially when he needed it the most after his shocking US Open defeat this season.
Rafael Nadal denies Carlos Alcaraz’s lack of mental strength after his US Open defeat
After the 2022 US Open champion’s dream crashed in New York in the second round, the four-time Grand Slam champion confessed he was ‘not mentally well,’ and ‘not strong.’ It was indeed a tough time for Alcaraz, who clinched consecutive titles at Wimbledon and the French Open but failed to earn a gold medal in the Olympics even after qualifying for the finals, ultimately revealing that he needed some rest after the intense tennis events. However, Rafael Nadal, who studied his game, did not think so.
“I don’t think Carlos is mentally not strong…What he is is a little bit tired and saturated by everything he has achieved this summer..There is a certain moment when the mind also needs a little rest because in an Olympic year the calendar is even tighter and the demands are very high.”
Furthermore, while discussing the comparisons between him and Carlos Alcaraz, he stated that the Wimbledon champion is carving his own path and hopes that he will make ‘history in the sport.’ However, now, as the Davis Cup beckons, hopefully, Nadal will be back with his compatriot soon, making history in the sport once again!
