Rafael Nadal’s Davis Cup singles chances assessed by Spain captain after ‘talks’ | Tennis | Sport
Spanish Davis Cup captain David Ferrer has hinted Rafael Nadal is likely to be involved in the Davis Cup singles event next month in Malaga.
Nadal has featured in just one event since the Paris Olympics, where he represented Spain in both the singles and doubles.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner lost both of his matches at the Six Kings Slam earlier this month – an exhibition event held in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.
Nadal was brushed aside by compatriot and 2024 Olympics doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz, before suffering another straight sets defeat against Novak Djokovic in his second and final Riyadh outing.
And with Nadal’s curtain call on the horizon, speculation surrounding his involvement in the singles event at the Davis Cup has been growing.
But according to skipper Ferrer, there’s every chance the King of Clay could be involved at the event in the south of Spain.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca, Ferrer said: “I’m the captain and I’m the one who has to decide. I have a lot of confidence in Rafa because I’ve lived with him all my career and I know his honesty if he sees himself capable of competing or not.
“My idea after talking to him is that he’s ready to play.
“I spoke with Rafa on Wednesday, I am also in constant contact with his coach Carlos Moya and his agent Carlos Costa.
“They update me very regularly. I’ll decide in Malaga, when I see how he trains. But the same will happen with the rest of the players. If Nadal trains at a good level and is in good physical shape, that’s an alternative, of course.”
On what it would mean to go all the way in Malaga, Ferrer added: “I would be very satisfied if he finished happy and playing well. Does it mean to win? Well yes, the ideal would be a victory, but not for me but for everything he has achieved.
“The problem is that it’s something you can’t control. What happens in Malaga will not change his life or career. But on a personal level, I would like him to leave tennis with good memories.”
Ferrer has also admitted he’d like to see Nadal take over his current position as Spain’s Davis Cup captain in the future, continuing: “Rafa would be a great Davis Cup captain because he loves this competition.
“With the humility he has, he would be a very good captain. He would bring a lot to the young players and, on top of that, he has the personality, which is important to occupy the chair.”
The action gets underway in Malaga on November 19 and runs until November 24.
