Davis Cup 2024: Rafael Nadal officially included in the preliminary roster for Spain’s Final team
Rafael Nadal is expected to renew doubles partnership with Carlos Alcaraz in the Davis Cup duty for Spain in Malaga.
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Rafael Nadal (Image via X)
Former World No.1 Rafael Nadal has been named in Spain’s squad for the Davis Cup Final eight, organizers confirmed on Monday. The team will also feature World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz, along with Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Marcel Granollers.
Nadal, now 38, last competed at the Paris Olympics, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round. He later withdrew from both the US Open and the Laver Cup due to ongoing fitness issues.
Spain will face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, starting on November 19. Many fans thought the Laver Cup might be Nadal’s farewell, just as it was for his rival Roger Federer in 2022. However, with Nadal’s inclusion in the Davis Cup and the event being held in Spain, some believe it could be the ideal way to close out his legendary career.
The Spanish ace has an impressive Davis Cup record, contributing to five of the nation’s six titles. He was part of the winning teams in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019. This achievement ties him with John McEnroe for the most Davis Cup titles by a player in the Open Era, each with five victories for their respective countries.
However, Nadal has had a troublesome 2024 season, going without a Grand Slam match win for the first time since he started his career. His only Grand Slam match this season came in the first-round loss at Roland Garros against Alexander Zverev. Additionally, he has a 12-7 win-loss record this season, with only one ATP final to his name at the Bastad Open.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz join Rafael Nadal on the Davis Cup roster
Rafael Nadal is not the only big name on Spain’s Davis Cup quarterfinal roster, as he is joined by countryman Carlos Alcaraz. For Italy, Jannik Sinner is also set to make his return.
Spain will face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, giving Alcaraz a chance to seek revenge. The World No. 3 famously lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of this year’s US Open, considered one of the biggest upsets in tennis history. He will hope to turn the tables on the 28-year-old.
Meanwhile, Sinner will return to Davis Cup action for Italy in the quarterfinals. The defending champions will take on Argentina in the last eight. The World No. 1 missed recent Davis Cup matches, as they came too soon after his US Open campaign.
However, Sinner had little to worry about as Matteo Berrettini stepped up in his absence. While the World No. 1 didn’t play, he was seen on the sidelines supporting his teammates.
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Fahad Hamid
(624 Articles Published)