Rafael Nadal resigns: Carlos Alcaraz says Davis Cup win for teammate is an enormous motivator

Carlos Alcaraz says Rafael Nadal’s Davis Cup win is a “nice motivation” and can mark a “particular” event in his profession.

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, will retire from tennis after representing Spain in subsequent week’s Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.

Spain will face the Netherlands within the quarter-finals on Tuesday as they give the impression of being so as to add to their six titles – 4 of which Nadal took half in.

“It is in all probability essentially the most particular event I am going to play in my profession, due to what’s taking place, due to the situations,” mentioned the 21-year-old Alcaraz, ranked third on this planet.

“The Davis Cup is at all times a event that I want to win at some point. I’m captivated with representing Spain.

“Having Rafa by my facet, realizing it is his final event, will make it much more vital.”

Alcaraz made his Davis Cup debut in 2022, three years after Spain’s final title.

He and Nadal, who’s 17 years his senior, competed twice at this summer time’s Olympics in Paris, though they had been eradicated within the quarter-finals.

Nadal will retire because the second most profitable singles participant of all time, behind solely long-time rival Novak Djokovic.

“No participant ought to finish his profession with a title, and I understand how vital the Davis Cup is to him. It is going to be a troublesome problem however to win it in opposition to Rafa is a good motivation,” Alcaraz informed the ATP web site. .

He added: “Rafa’s farewell is essential, a minimum of for me. The Davis Cup is held yearly. Rafa’s farewell, farewell within the historical past of sports activities, sadly solely occurs as soon as. Personally I’m very comfortable to be beneath Rafa. beside his farewell.”