Rafael Nadal: ‘I’m ready to be happy’ to bid farewell to Davis Cup Finals | ATP Tour
Nadal: ‘I came to enjoy myself this week’
The Spanish legend is playing the last tournament of his career in the Davis Cup Finals
November 16, 2024
2024 Getty Images
Rafael Nadal is preparing for his final appearance at the Davis Cup Finals.
By Javier Mendez, APTtour.com/es
‘I came to enjoy myself this week and we’ll see what happens.’ These were Rafael Nadal’s first words in Málaga before he bids farewell to tennis in his final professional tournament this November.
It’s not just any week or the Davis Cup Finals. A heady mix of excitement, emotion and anticipation is in the air at the Martín Carpena Arena. Because one of the great icons of sports will soon say his adiós.
A huge 2,600-square-meter poster welcomes the Spanish legend. On a blue background, two words sum up what every fan feels: Gracias, Rafa, a few days before Spain takes to the court in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands on Tuesday 19.
‘I was able to prepare well, that’s why I’m here, I have to do it day by day,’ admitted the Mallorcan in his comments to the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET). ‘I haven’t competed for a long time and I want to feel this week but I can’t.’
Las primeras palabras de la ultima #DavisCup de Rafa 🎙️📹🇪🇸
Prepared, motivated and con ganas de soñar 💫🏆#CopaDavis #MAPFRETENIS pic.twitter.com/00OtuohYb3
– Tenis España (@RFETenis) November 15, 2024
‘So I’m happy to end a long and beautiful part of my life, enjoying these last moments as normal, accepting that everything has a beginning and an end,’ he said of what will be an emotional few days for him. .
Nevertheless, Nadal is quick to remind us that he does not want his personal situation to interfere with the plans of his captain David Ferrer: ‘First, we will have to see how I feel in training and, if indeed I do not feel. I have a chance to win the singles, I will be the first one not to play.’
‘If I feel I’m not ready, I’ll be the first to talk to the captain,’ he insisted, explaining how he would do it. ‘I’ve already told him on several occasions that I don’t make decisions based on the fact that it’s my last week as a professional tennis player.’
Nadal continues to use the word that has been a common thread in his career: enjoy, despite the load on his legs for 326 tournaments during more than 20 years of competing on the circuit.
Since winning his first ATP Tour match – 22 seasons ago – in Mallorca (against Ramón Delgado) aged just 15, he has amassed 1,080 victories. This streak earned him 92 ATP Tour titles, including 22 Grand Slams and 36 ATP Masters 1000s.
‘I couldn’t ask for more, I am very grateful and satisfied with everything that has happened to me over the years,’ he said of his legacy.
Now, he has one last wish before saying goodbye to his best friend to this day: ‘What I would obviously like is for the team to do well and have a chance to win another Davis Cup, whether I’m playing or congratulating them to be honest.’
