The Davis Cup Finals takes place between November 19-24 in Malaga. The host nation, Spain, meets the Netherlands in the quarter-final, and the home crowd will likely see the 22-time Major winner Rafael Nadal in action. David Ferrer named five players who will chase the first Davis Cup crown for the red squad since 2019.
Carlos Alcaraz leads Spain, with Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers joining the Major champions. Rafa has played 19 singles matches this year, recovering from a career-threatening hip injury and extending his incredible tennis journey.
Nadal reached the ATP 250 Bastad final, fighting for the ATP trophy two decades after his first main-level title match. Still, the veteran has yet to present his well-known game, struggling and taking a break following an early Olympic Games loss to Novak Djokovic.
The 38-year-old withdrew from the Laver Cup, not feeling competitive and extending his break from the sport.
Rafael Nadal could compete for Spain in the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
However, the most decorated Spanish athlete of all time would love to help his country chase another Davis Cup title in November in front of the home fans.
Rafa and Carlos played well at the Olympic Games, missing a chance to fight for a medal and maybe preparing for more doubles duties in Malaga. Nadal injured his hip at last year’s Australian Open, missing the rest of the year and dropping out from the top-600.
Eager to extend his career and end it on his terms, the Spaniard launched his comeback in the first week of 2024, reaching the quarter-final in Brisbane before missing the Australian Open following more hip issues. Rafa injured his abdominal muscle in February and stayed away from the court until April.
He scored a win in Barcelona and three more in Madrid ahead of an early Rome loss to Hubert Hurkacz.
The ultimate Roland Garros champion faced world no.
4 Alexander Zverev in the first round on Court Philippe-Chatrier and fell after over three hours, giving everything but experiencing the earliest exit at his beloved event. Nadal missed the grass season and stayed on clay, entering Bastad as his final preparation for the Olympic Games.
The Spaniard reached his first ATP final in over two years, enduring a couple of marathons before falling to Nuno Borges after running out of gas. Rafa entered his fourth Olympic Games in Paris, beating Marton Fucsovics and arranging the clash against his greatest rival, Novak Djokovic.
The Serb ousted the Spaniard, remaining on the title course and forcing the veteran to focus on his doubles duties. Nadal and Alcaraz reached the quarter-final, fighting well but losing to Krajicek and Ram in straight sets.
Rafa withdrew from the US Open and the Laver Cup, with the Davis Cup Finals looking as his only official remaining event of the season.
