Rafael Nadal has been the talk of tennis for the last few weeks, ever since he made a decision that stunned the sporting world.
After all, it’s never nice when anyone has to call time on their career, let alone one as legendary as his.
The Spaniard has won almost all there is to win, and transcended tennis in a way few others ever managed.
What he brought to the court was unlike anything we have, or likely will ever see again.
Fans will get one final chance to see him in action next month though, with Nadal revealing when his last-ever match would be: in Malaga, at the Davis Cup finals.
Rafael Nadal’s retirement edges closer
Appearances for the 38-year-old have been sparse in recent months, due to fitness complaints amongst other hurdles.
However, he was never expected to play relentlessly, having made the decision to miss the US Open after a mesmeric run with Carlos Alcaraz in the Olympics.
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Playing at Roland Garros for one final time, he featured alongside the future of Spanish tennis and plans to do so again next month.
The Davis Cup has been a huge source of pride for Rafael Nadal throughout his career, and he will hope to make the difference once again in this, the final event of his career.
However, the decision-makers involved with the team might have an awkward call to make as the finals near.
Spain’s Davis Cup team have an awkward decision to make
After all, Spain must decide whether they want to dedicate this Davis Cup solely to Nadal, or to truly give their all to win the entire competition.
At present, it is expected that the retiring superstar will play both singles and doubles to round off his career, but he has also warned that his farewell could be called off.
He revealed, after his participation in the Six Kings Slam: ‘I will prepare, I will try to be in shape to help the team win. If I feel ready and the captain feels the same way, it will be his decision. If I don’t feel ready, I will be the first to step away and see how I can help.’
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This coincides with the impressive run of form that Roberto Bautista-Agut is enjoying on the indoor hard courts, having just dispatched Casper Ruud in Basel after winning an ATP 250 event the week earlier in Antwerp.
It seems David Ferrer has a decision to make. Does he prioritise Nadal’s retirement, and in turn snub one of Spain’s most in-form players? Or does he flip that, and resign Nadal’s farewell to a doubles match?
Nadal’s chances of playing the 2025 Australian Open should confirm that the Davis Cup is the be all and end all for the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
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