Rafael Nadal and the Spanish captain is not going to say whether or not he’ll play within the Davis Cup

FUENGIROLA, Spain – Neither Rafael Nadal nor Spain captain David Ferrer will say Monday whether or not the 22-year-old Grand Slam champion will play within the Davis Cup Ultimate 8, his final occasion earlier than retirement.

Spain is scheduled to face the Netherlands on Tuesday within the quarterfinals on the robust indoor enviornment on the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in Malaga. The winner will play within the semi-finals on Friday. The event will probably be selected Sunday.

At a press convention held at a lodge in Fuengirola, about 20 kilometers south of the event venue, Nadal was requested how he had been feeling in follow in current days and whether or not he was able to play.

“That is the captain’s query,” replied Nadal, laughing at Ferrer, sitting to the star’s left.

After some time, Ferrer was requested about Nadal’s participation.

“I do not know but,” Ferrer stated. “In the meanwhile, I’ve not selected the gamers who will play tomorrow.”

Nadal is 29-1 in his Davis Cup profession, 8-4 in doubles.

There will probably be two singles matches and one doubles match between Spain and the Netherlands. Nadal could seem single, doubles – maybe alongside Carlos Alcaraz, his accomplice on the Paris Olympics this 12 months – each or not.

There is a cause, although, that the 9,200-capacity stadium was offered out on Tuesday: This may very well be the final probability to see Nadal play a significant match.

“His final moments on the court docket will in all probability be very particular. Not (simply) for me, however for everybody,” Alcaraz stated. “For me, for the crew, and for everybody right here in Spain, it will likely be an emotional day.”

Monday was the primary probability for Nadal, 38, to reply questions from reporters and elaborate on his resolution, introduced final month, to retire from tennis after the Davis Cup.

Nadal has been coping with a collection of accidents over the previous two seasons and has solely been booked in 23 official singles matches in that point; that features a 12-7 document this 12 months.

“I am not right here to retire, I am right here to assist the crew win. It is my final week within the crew event and a very powerful factor is to assist the crew. The sentiments will come later,” stated Nadal carrying a shirt. a purple squad shirt with a small purple and yellow Spanish flag on the left sleeve.

“I am having fun with the week. I am not focusing an excessive amount of on retirement,” Nadal stated. “There will probably be a giant change in my life after this week.”

Nadal stated “it does not make sense to proceed realizing that I haven’t got an actual probability to compete the best way I wish to compete as a result of my physique” does not agree.

“Okay, I can maintain one 12 months. However why? To say goodbye to each single event? I haven’t got that ego to wish that,” stated Nadal, including that “he has been pondering for a very long time.” ‘ about retirement.

He hasn’t performed an actual recreation because the Olympics in early August. Nadal misplaced within the second spherical of the singles to Novak Djokovic there, then was judged within the quarterfinals alongside Alcaraz.

“I attempted to arrange as a lot as doable within the final month and a half. I am making an attempt to offer my greatest on this occasion,” stated Nadal. “When you do not compete usually, it is laborious to maintain up the standard. However there’s enchancment daily. I imagine that.”

Moreover Nadal and Alcaraz, Spain’s Davis Cup crew consists of Marcel Granollers, Roberto Bautista Agut and Pedro Martinez.

As all of them left the lodge convention room on the finish of the question-and-answer session, Alcaraz positioned his proper hand on Nadal’s left shoulder and whispered one thing.

They might share the court docket for the final time this week. Or possibly not. Undecided but. What is obvious is that Nadal will quickly know that his job is completed.

What’s going to he miss essentially the most?

“I imply, possibly the sensation of competitors, (going to) the court docket you will see the followers there, the environment once you play huge matches,” stated Nadal. “And on the finish of the day, it is going to be the adrenaline you are feeling earlier than, on the finish, and throughout the match.”