Rafael Nadal’s potential final opponent confirmed as he’s handed crucial Davis Cup role | Tennis | Sport

Rafael Nadal is set to play the opening Davis Cup singles in his final tournament, reports in Spain have claimed.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion will retire following the season-ending event in his homeland.

Nadal, 38, has not played since the Olympics and has been forced to quit because of a “cocktail” of injuries, he said in his pre-tournament press conference yesterday.

But Spanish sports daily Marca is reporting that captain David Ferrer has told his team that Nadal will play the singles as the Spanish No.2 and will face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp at 5pm here – 4pm in the UK.

Nadal has played only 23 official singles matches over the last two seasons after hip surgery and then an abdominal injury this year. He will not be picked on current form.

But the five-time winner has an outstanding Davis Cup record and has 29 consecutive singles wins since 2004. And tickets for today’s ties have been selling for up to £20,000 on ticket re-sale sites.

Speaking on Monday, Nadal said: “I don’t know if I’ll play any matches or not. I’ve played very little lately. That’s a question for the captain, not for me.”

Former French Open finalist Ferrer claimed: “I don’t know yet. I have not decided yet the players who will play tomorrow.”

Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz will play the second singles match against Tallon Griekspoor. The final here in Malaga will be held on Sunday.

It will be an emotional time for Nadal, with all eyes on the tennis icon as he prepares to wave goodbye to the sport he has given so much to down the years.

Nadal bows out as the second-most decorated men’s player behind Novak Djokovic with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, including an astonishing 14 French Open triumphs.