Nadal’s Career Nears its End with Last Appearance in the Davis Cup

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal’s career is nearing its end as he participates in his final event with the Spanish national team in the Davis Cup, which kicks off next Tuesday in front of a home crowd in Málaga, Spain.

Nadal, who trained in Málaga on Friday, said: “It’s of course a difficult decision that took me a long time to make, but in life, everything has a beginning and an end, and I believe this is the right time to make the decision to end a long and successful career, more successful than I ever imagined.”

When will Nadal play his last match?

It’s still unclear when exactly Nadal will play his final match, as the Davis Cup is a team event that will start its quarterfinals stage on Tuesday. If Spain wins, they will qualify for the semifinals on Friday, where they will face either Canada or Germany (who play on Wednesday).

In other quarterfinal matches, the United States will play against Australia, and defending champions Italy will face Argentina. The tournament will begin on Sunday with two matches, one for singles and the other for doubles, with the first team to win two matches advancing. It remains unclear whether Spanish captain David Ferrer will choose Nadal for singles or doubles, or if he will participate in either.

Who are Nadal’s teammates in the Davis Cup?

Nadal is part of a team that includes Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam winner, along with Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martínez, and Marcel Granollers.

Why did Nadal decide to retire now?

The main reason for his retirement is his struggle with a series of injuries, including foot pain, abdominal muscle issues, and a thigh problem that required surgery last season.

Has Nadal helped Spain win the Davis Cup in the past?

Nadal has been part of the Spanish team during five years in which they won the title in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019. His first title came after a teenage Nadal defeated then-world No. 2 Andy Roddick to help Spain win over the United States.

Nadal said: “I’m very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup and that I will represent my country. I think I’ve come full circle, because my first big joy in tennis as a professional was at the 2004 Davis Cup final in Seville.”