Spanish Davis Cup star Carlos Alcaraz and team captain David Ferrer have shared differing opinions regarding Rafael Nadal’s retirement. Nadal has been named in Spain’s preliminary squad for the Davis Cup Finals in November, set to take place in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Malaga. Although he was expected to play at the Laver Cup in Berlin last weekend, Nadal withdrew before the tournament began. His next opportunity to return to the court will be with his compatriots at the Davis Cup Finals.
Speculation is already mounting that this could be the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s “last dance.” Nadal has barely competed in recent months and hasn’t played at all since the Paris Olympics. Alcaraz, however, is hopeful that the 38-year-old will continue playing beyond the tournament.
“I’m going to enjoy that time,” Alcaraz said ahead of his opening match at the China Open. “Hopefully, it’s not going to be the last time for him.”
“It’s always great having Rafa around,” he added. “I miss him. I’m not going to lie, I missed him at the Laver Cup. Any time I can spend with him is a privilege. I don’t want to think about it being his potential last dance in Malaga. I just want to focus on enjoying his presence and watching him on court as much as possible. Having him on the team is a great source of support.”
Alcaraz also highlighted Nadal’s value to the team: “He brings so much experience to the Davis Cup. It’s going to be my first Davis Cup Final, and it will be a great experience for me.”
On the other hand, David Ferrer, who retired in 2019 after reaching four Grand Slam semi-finals and achieving a career-high world ranking of No. 3, is more focused on Nadal’s personal decision rather than pushing for him to continue.
“It’s a very personal matter,” Ferrer explained. “Everyone retires in their own way or when they feel ready. I can’t say what the ideal retirement is. You’re stopping something that you’ve done your entire life, that you’ve worked so hard on, and then you just stop. As long as he’s happy, that’s what matters to me.”
