Rafael Nadal makes feelings known on possibility of becoming Davis Cup captain

Rafael Nadal bade farewell to tennis at the 2024 Davis Cup where he lost in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp.

Rafael Nadal makes feelings known on possibility of becoming Davis Cup captain

Rafael Nadal (Image via X/Rafael Nadal)

On Monday (April 21), Rafael Nadal was honored with the Laureus Sporting Icon of the Year award in Madrid. He later told reporters whether he foresees himself becoming Spain’s Davis Cup captain in the future.

It was in the Davis Cup that Nadal called time on his career last year. Spain was up against the Netherlands in the quarterfinal and Nadal played the first match, a singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp, losing it in straight sets. Spain eventually ended up losing the tie 2-1.

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At present David Ferrer holds the position of Spain’s Davis Cup captain. Nadal sees himself as a candidate for the captaincy role but currently, he doesn’t think the circumstances are right for him to take up the job.

I don’t know, that can’t be predicted. I’m passionate about sport, but you have to carve out a path. I’ve just finished a long journey, and I need to prepare for what’s next. I’ve had a family and a team that helped prepare me for what I loved for the future, and I don’t know what might happen with things like this.

Rafael Nadal told reporters

Nadal also said that he doesn’t miss tennis at all after retirement as he was convinced that his body could no more help him to prolong his career. He is now a winner of five Laureus awards.

He was honored with the title for the first time in 2005 as he became the Newcomer of the Year. Twice he won the Sportsman of the Year (in 2011 and 2021). In 2014, the 22-time Grand Slam champion received the Comeback of the Year award.

Carlos Alcaraz only has massive respect for Rafael Nadal over his achievements on the clay swing

No one can argue about Rafael Nadal being the best clay court player in the history of tennis. His stats on the red dirt only speak for themselves. Carlos Alcaraz, who once saw Nadal’s 14 French Open record as a possible thing to achieve, has admitted recently that only someone from a different planet can do what Nadal has done.

Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz
Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Alcaraz is gearing up for the Madrid Open which he aims to win for the third time. Prior to Madrid, the four-time Grand Slam champion played back-to-back clay-court events: the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open.

Although the 21-year-old left The Principality with the title (the first in his career), he could not take home his third Barcelona Open title, losing in straight sets to Holger Rune. During the second set, Alcaraz took a medical timeout and later it was revealed that he suffered a niggle on his abductor muscle. Following his defeat, Alcaraz paid tribute to Nadal for his incredible record on clay.

That’s what happens when you play so many matches and have so few days to rest. It’s so demanding, and you have to give 100 percent every day. Having played a tournament like Monte-Carlo and arriving in Barcelona with few days to adapt is really tough. Now I bow at the feet of Rafa because of what he did week after week.

Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference

Nadal is the winner of 12 Barcelona Open titles. After the final, the King of Clay even contacted the youngster to encourage him and expressed his hope of seeing him train again in a few days.

Alcaraz, who received a bye, will kick start his campaign against Zizou Bergs or Yoshihito Nishioka. He is projected to lock horns with three-time Madrid Open champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and two-time Madrid Open champion Alexander Zverev in the final.