“There’s a form of risk,” Paris Masters director not sure Rafael Nadal will be at his best in his farewell tournament

Rafael Nadal will be featuring in his last-ever professional tournament next month at the Davis Cup in Malaga.

“There’s a form of risk,” Paris Masters director not sure Rafael Nadal will be at his best in his farewell tournament

Rafael Nadal (Image via Imago)

Rafael Nadal recently revealed that he will be playing his last professional match at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. The Spaniard last played at the event in 2019 but was added to the Spanish team after their quarterfinals qualification. However, Paris Masters director Cedric Pioline has revealed that the 38-year-old may not perform at the highest standards at the event.

Nadal has struggled to play consistently this season, despite a comeback in January. The 22-time Grand Slam champion majorly played during the clay season but failed to live up to expectations. His best tour run this year was at the Nordea Open in July, where he finished as runners-up.

However, since the Paris Olympics, Nadal has not competed in any tour-level or international competitions. He withdrew from the US Open and Laver Cup due to injury concerns. He returned to the court at the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia. But finished fourth in the event after failing to win a single match.

With his performance not yet up to his usual level this season, Cedric Pioline doesn’t believe Nadal will be at his best level in the Davis Cup in November. He added that it was tough to comprehend the Spaniard’s mindset heading to the event.

It’s hard to know if he feels good and if he thinks he can bring something. From what I know about him, I think he’ll only play the doubles to say goodbye and not compromise the team’s result for his personal need to say goodbye. There is a form of risk (of not playing before) but he knows himself well, he has a whole team and I think it’s clear in his head. The less you play, the less rhythm you have. The less rhythm you have, the less confidence you have.

Cedric Pioline said to the media

Meanwhile, Nadal has a lot of experience playing in the Davis Cup. The Spaniard is the second active player to have won the cup four times in his career. He will be hoping for his fifth at the front of the home crowd.

Paris Masters director reveals why Rafael Nadal turned down his wildcard offer

Rafael Nadal has competed in Paris twice this year. First at the French Open and then at the Paris Olympics. However, he will not be returning to the city for the Paris Masters, after the tournament’s director Cedric Pioline revealed that the legend rejected his wild card offer.

Nadal, who has not won the title in his career will now miss the event for the third consecutive year. Pioline revealed that the Spaniard was clear that he would only play in the Davis Cup Finals.

Rafael-Nadal-Six-Kings-Slam
Rafael Nadal (Image via BBC)

I asked if there was any interest but the answer was very clear: he has decided to play the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga as his last event and he will not play an official tournament until then.

Cedric Pioline said

The Paris Masters will get underway on October 28, with Novak Djokovic also going to miss the tournament despite being the defending champion. Top ATP stars will be looking forward to winning the title this time around.