(Reuters) – Former world number one Rafa Nadal has been added to Spain’s Davis Cup Final Eight squad, organisers said on Monday.
The Spanish squad will also include world number three Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Marcel Granollers.
The 38-year-old Nadal last played at the Paris Olympics, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round. He then withdrew from the U.S. Open and last weekend’s Laver Cup due to fitness concerns.
The quarter-finals begin on Tuesday 19 November with the Davis Cup final to be played on Sunday 24 November.
Source: Reuters
Good luck and Vamos Rafa❤️
It’s true that Rafa is lacking in confidence and that’s understandable after a couple of seasons filled with injury, but Rafa has answered the call to the Davis Cup and I think that’s where he’ll retire – a perfect place in Spain, in front of a home crowd.
After that, I really hope that Rafa will make an appearance at the French Open to present the trophy and to have a presentation himself, for all that he has won and done for the tournament.
Yes Lorna, I had the same thought that he will retire at the Davis Cup in Spain. I think he has already decided he is finished playing tennis competitively, but just doesn’t want to make a huge deal out of it. I also wondered if one of the reasons he was asked to participate in the torch relay at the Paris Olympics was not only because he deserved it, but also as a way to honour him because he didn’t want anything special after he was knocked out at the French Open this year. I have a feeling Rafa will want to just go out quietly, so maybe a short presentation at the end of Spain’s matches at the Davis Cup, but nothing else. Tennis just isn’t as much fun for me to watch without Rafa!
Yes, I think that Rafa will go out quietly too. He doesn’t want a lot of fuss made about it. He had a taste of that in Madrid and that was enough for him. I must say that I am feeling so sad about it all. I knew that one day it would come. However, it is still sad for me. Tennis has lost its heartbeat without our lovely Rafa. He is so unique, and there is not another player like him. I wish that we could relive the last 20 years of his career again!! Rafa gave us so many memories to treasure that I will never forget. It will be interesting to see how the Davis cup unfolds for us all.
Knowing Rafa, he does not operate like this. He will honour a commitment.
He even plays injured numerous times at majors till the very end knowing fully well fans have forked out precious money for some to get to see him.
Instances were against Stan Wawrinka at the Oz Open and the latest was against American – was it Mackenzie McDonald when he injured his hip.
Spaniards are a fiercely nationalistic race. Carlos Alcaraz’s overtures have worked – in the newsfeeds I saw, Carlos commented that he misses Rafa. Maybe that was codespeak for ‘can you help us/Spain at this coming challenge for Spain?’
Oh Dear Sparkle! Rafa is and always has been renowned for his integrity. He would never participate in such a scheme. You are either a new fan who does not understand him or you are a Djokovic fan masquerading as a Rafa Fan. Rafa will do his very best to be ready and will only pull out if he doesn’t think he can play well enough to justify his place in the Team. That is why he withdrew from the Laver Cup. I would suggest you take your cynicism elsewhere. It does not belong here.
I am just airing my view. You don’t need to agree. Why would I visit here if I was a Djokovic fan? We will see what happens. If I’m proved wrong, I can deal with that. Rafa has pulled out of everything since the Olympics, that is why I think that now. He is low in confidence. He isn’t the Rafa of old anymore. I’m just not getting my hopes up. I am keeping them contained. We should support each other here and help each other to get through this.
I don’t think Rafa will show up for this. It’s a ploy to sell tickets. I hope that people don’t buy tickets hoping to see Rafa. He is pulling out if everything.