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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.”


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

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Davis Cup

Rafael Nadal said at a press conference that he had not traveled to Malaga with the Spanish team “to retire”, but to try to help the team. Photo: EPA-EFE

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

The Spanish team’s (from left) Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal and head coach David Ferrer. Photo: EPA-EFE

‘I felt like a tennis player’: former Uruguay striker Diego Forlan debuts in ‘new’ sport

Diego Forlan, the 45-year-old former Manchester United, Uruguay and Atletico Madrid footballer, playing in his professional tennis debut in a doubles match at the 2024 Uruguay Open. Photo: AFP

Diego Forlan (left) conferring with partner Federico Coria between points in their Uruguay Open match. Photo: AFP

Diego Forlan was joint-top-scorer at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where Uruguay finished third. Photo: Reuters

Positive drugs tests gave me sleepless nights, says Jannik Sinner after ATP Finals victory

Jannik Sinner’s win in Turin, where he also won US$4.8m for winning all his matches, capped off a year when he also won his first two grand slam titles and finished as the year-end No 1. Photo: Xinhua

Jannik Sinner (third from right) celebrates with his trophy and his team after winning the ATP Finals. Photo: EPA-EFE

Jannik Sinner (right) continued his recent mastery of Taylor Fritz with his second win the tournament. Photo: Xinhua

Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal end ‘amazing rivalry’ with likely final meeting of tennis GOATs

Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal meet at the net at the end of what was likely their final ever meeting. Photo: Xinhua

Novak Djokovic (left) and Rafa Nadal with the third and fourth place trophies at the Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh. Photo: EPA

Sport

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