Spanish Davis Cup captain Sergi Bruguera isn’t sure whether he will be able to call upon Rafael Nadal for their clash with Germany next month.
The spirit of Nadal is always the same, to play the Davis Cup.
If everything goes with its evolution and it’s fine, if the recovery is going smoothly, he will be available.
Bruguera also said that he speaks every day with Rafa and that he will know the status of Rafa’s health before announcing the team.
Spain chose Valencia as its location for the comparison with Sascha Zverev and Co.
The upcoming quarterfinal clash will be played on outdoor clay at the iconic Plaza de Toros de Valencia on 6-8 April. It will be the 17th meeting between Spain and Germany in Davis Cup – but the first since 2014.
Rafa’s last Davis Cup appearance took place in September 2016, when he and Marc Lopez scored Spain’s decisive third point in New Delhi against India in doubles.
Sources: EFE, Marca
JMDP has beaten Raonic to 3 sets. He’s headed for the semi-final’s in Miami after winning sets 2 and 3 in tiebreaks. King of tiebreaks?
RAFA KING OF CLAY ROCKS
Correction: in 3 sets
King of tiebreaks? “Delpo” made a big deal (rightfully) about the moderate clapping between his first and second serve during the Indian Wells finals. Now, since he has a reputation to be a great guy, it would be nice if he would say something about the unacceptable behaviour of his supporters, yelling like possessed when Raonic missed his first serve and forcing him to delay his second serve in crucial moments, especially during the final tie-break.
The Royal Spanish Tennis Federation [RFET] is the national governing body of tennis in Spain and is responsible for the Spanish Davis Cup and Spanish Fed Cup teams.
In its March 27th two-paragraph article, the RFET announced that Rafa was returning to lead the Spanish team. HOWEVER, in the second paragraph, it stated Rafa would return “on condition of next Tuesday’s [April 2] results of his recuperation.” I guess we won’t know for sure until next week.
A possible explanation for this discrepancy may be that there is a deadline rule for announcing team members and that’s why Rafa is included on the team’s list. I find it irresponsible of the Spanish media to say “yes” when the RFET says “maybe.” Back to square one.
RAFA ROCKS
Bad idea. Huge mistake. It’s too early. He should not play Davis cup period. He is risking his clay season…for what? I always believe Rafa is the best thing happened to tennis, but if he can be as smart as Fed in his decisions about his schedule….???
Bis, I’ve read the comments here, including the Spanish one’s, expressing worry about Rafa coming back too soon. I hope we are wrong and that he is fit to compete.
I find it curious that at least seven or more Spanish-language outlets have announced Rafa will play DC, but no English versions. It’s possible he may not play and his name is being used to sell tickets.
RNF’s hasn’t said anything either; all they’ve done is posted teasers. I suspect there has been a change in management. Look at all the ads that are being posted here lately. And the original RNF would not allow the “f” word which is an indication standards have been lowered.
Me, all I want is a healthy Rafa.
RAFA ROCKS
Good news from The Scotsman,
March 26, 2018.
Andy, together with his coach, physio and trainer went to Nice, France to practice at the Mouratoglou academy run by Serena’s coach.
Andy is hoping to make a full comeback in May.
————————–
Best wishes Andy.
According to La Vanguardia, Alberto Berasategui spoke to Rafa and his calendar is the following, at the moment:
Monte-Carlo
Barcelona
Madrid
Roland-Garos
Berasategui said Rafa either forgot to Mension Rome or he plans to rest during that time.
Buen salud a ti Rafa.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa is on the confirmed Monte-Carlo Masters player list.
Davis Cup – April 6-8
Monte-Carlo – R1 matches start on Monday, April 16
Rafa has an entire week to rest between DC and his first-round match at Monte-Carlo; I hope he takes advantage of that.
RAFA ROCKS
Correction: mention not Mension
Para ustedes que no hablan inglés el equipo Español de Copa Davis en Valencia junto Rafa estarán Roberto Bautista, Pablo Carreño, Feliciano López y David Ferrer.
Buena suerte campeones.
RAFA ROCKS
According to RFET the DC Spanish team: Nada, Bautista-Agut, Ferrer, Feliciano and Carreño.
Wishing you good luck Rafa and good health.
RAFA WILL ROCK DAVIS CUP
Correction: Sorry Rafa for the missing “L” Nadal…
I certainly hope he does play.
Rafa I sure think you will give it every consideration, as to whether it is a good idea for you and your body,so that must come first.
Make the best decision dependent on your body,
so love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXaustraliaXX
Don’t push it Rafa!!!
I would prefer it if Rafa did not play Davis Cup this year and he is certainly having pressure put on him by the Spanish Davis Cup captain who evidently sees Rafa as a valuable money making commodity who brings the crowd in, which he certainly does.
The thing is, however, that Rafa is a very patriotic person and he just loves to play for his country so it will not be too hard to persuade him to play.
He loves the atmosphere of playing before a home crowd, the fellowship among the players, the joy of being a team member rather than playing for himself.
So it is up to Rafa to make the decision to play or not to play. So long as it is what he really feels is the best for him and not because he feels obligated to do so.
..
I agree with Margo that the choice of Mallorca “only if Rafa plays” is pressure and also with Lorna re Bruguera trying to persuade him and that Rafa at times does too much to please others. It’s nice to be in demand, but Spain fortunately has a good depth of tennis talent; there are other players who could do well for their country if Rafa chooses to say no. Rafa should only do it if it suits him, in terms of his health and his goals for the ATP tour and slams.
The Davis Cup rules have been changed this year and as I understand them, this year’s matches have been reduced from 5 sets to best of 3 tie break sets. The competition is over 2 days, 2 singles matches on first day, 1 doubles and the reverse 2 singles on the second, if 3-1 by then, the fifth match “dead rubber” is not played.
So… I’ve changed my mind since I first heard Rafa might play DC, when I though it was the wrong idea. Rafa has very little match practice this year (end of last year as well). The DC tie is in his home country, on clay, just before the clay season on the ATP tour. I’m assuming Rafa wouldn’t play doubles as well as singles, so he’d play, at most, six sets over 2 days. Probably less than he’d do in normal practice and more fun, with the DC atmosphere. Sounds ideal to me. If there’s no medical reason not to play (and if there is, that’s a threat to Rafa’s clay season in itself, I really hope not) I say vamos!
Yes jas_uk, Spain does have a surfeit of players. Roberto Bautista-Agut [15] was chosen to play if Rafa can’t. Bruguera is advertising Bautista as “the ATP’s second-highest ranked Spaniard.” But of course he wants Rafa World No. 1 whose presence will sell tickets and fill the arena to capacity [11,000].
You give great points for Rafa to play. Earlier I did suggest that Rafa may play the DC just to see how his body reacts but once he starts I very much doubt he would wait for Madrid to return to competition after having played DC.
Waiting to learn what he decides to do. I know it has to be very difficult for him to be put in such a position. The weight of a country’s hope.
RAFA ROCKS
jas_uk I think some rules for Davis Cup do not apply to the World Group which will be played in Valencia. There were many changes in the rules but for the World Group the format may still be best of 5 sets for 2018, if I am reading correctly.
Best of 3 sets is being done on a trial basis for the Zone Groups in 2018. And I am confused because it talks about Zone Groups I and II. Do you know what that means?
RAFA ROCKS
Apologies, you’re right about the 5 sets Margo. The other two changes do apply though – 5-man team and no 5th match if one team leads by 3-1 and a fourth rubber, if 3-0, is best of 3 sets. Hopefully, if Rafa actually plays, he won’t need all 5 sets to win anyway!
jas_uk, thanks so much for explaining DC.
I looked at the German team but the only member I recognize is A. Zverev. Hoping you’re right about Rafa not needing 5 sets to win.
If Rafa plays DC, he has at least a week to rest before Monte-Carlo. Hoping for a healthy Rafa.
RAFA ROCKS
Get well . Miss you so much. Tennis is just not the same.
I love to see Rafa play and looking forward to see him play again. I miss him
in the last few tournaments, especially in Indian wells where we went just to see Rafa. Vamos Rafa , hope you stay healthy and win more slams…💪🎾🍀
This would be nice. Vamos Rafa <3
Seria formidable siempre y cuando no afecte tu salud ya que bienen torneos y puntos que defender,
VAMOS RAFA
So Bruguera speaks to Rafa every day to find out the status of his health before announcing the team. More like Bruguera breathing down Rafa’s neck and putting pressure on him to play in the Davis Cup, which probably means that he’ll feel an obligation to play if he’s healthy. Like Rafa, Delpo is very patriotic but he said categorically, that he woild not be participating in the Davis Cup.They have both had a major role the success of their respective countries over the years, particularly Rafa. The difference, at this stage in their careers, is that Delpo realises it’s time to focus on himself and what more he can go on to accomplish, especially as he’s missed out on so much through injuries. In contrast, Rafa likes to spread himself more thinly and please everyone. Do the sensible thing, Rafa. Skip the Davis Cup and concentrate on the defence of your clay court titles.
Lorna, you should know I could not have said it as good as that. Glad I saw your post before commenting on the article.
While reading the original EDE article I became very much disgusted therefore my reply was pretty awful.
“Breathing down Rafa’s neck,” is right on target. And I hope that Rafa does NOT succumb to the pressure Bruguera is obviously trying to exert on Rafa; such insensitivity.
If you read my earlier post you know the two contenders to host the DC were Mallorca and Valencia. Rafa is supposed to be the enticement to draw people to the DC to spend money in restaurants and hotels. The mayor of the Balaeric Islands bowed out because he could not secure a guarantee that Rafa would play. Rafa is a money-maker and they want to strip him of his dignity. I CAN’T STAND THEM.
Rafa, please say no to DC. Your health comes first.
RAFA ROCKS
vamos Rafa tu deberias jugar la copa Davis
Very happy, I a m his#1 fan since he was 17 Year old. Fol I follow his game all the time when he is playing. I am sad when he don’t play. Vamos Rafa Nadal.
Sent from my iPhone
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