Rafael Nadal is set to play the final tournament of his career at this year’s Davis Cup in Malaga.
Nadal’s legendary tennis career is coming to a close at the end of 2024, with fans preparing for the Spaniard’s final outing at the Davis Cup.
Nadal announced his retirement earlier this year, after struggling with several serious injuries in recent times.
It had been known that this year may be his last for some time, as Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz teamed up at the Olympics, for the beginning of the Spaniard’s ‘farewell tour’.
The pair reached the quarter-finals of the doubles tournament, losing out to the American duo of Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.
With the 22-time Major champion’s final tournament right around the corner, many have questioned whether Nadal will play singles or doubles at the Davis Cup.
Two more tennis legends have recently given their thoughts as to what role Nadal will play in his final Davis Cup.
Andy Roddick and Jim Courier both think Rafael Nadal will play doubles at Davis Cup
Speaking ahead of Nadal’s Davis Cup farewell, Andy Roddick and Jim Courier gave their thoughts on what role the Spaniard will play at the tournament.
“My gut would say he is most likely to show up on the doubles court alongside Carlos Alcaraz,” said Courier.
“A reprisal of the Olympic tandem who tried to win a medal in Paris this year.
“That would seem most likely to me.”
Roddick seemed to be of the same opinion as his fellow American.
“I would agree with Jim,” he said.
“I think we will definitely see him in the doubles.
“If you look at their team with RBA [Roberto Bautista Agut], the Chukster [Alcaraz], [Marcel] Granollers, even if the Chukster takes the heavy lift with the singles court, Granollers is a great partner and I think Rafa has played with him before.”
The 2003 US Open champion went on to explain why Nadal could be a real threat in the doubles and reiterated that he would love to see the Spaniard compete in singles.
“If you lose a step it doesn’t matter as much,” he said.
“Rafa has always been an unbelievable doubles player, gold medalist before.
“Hopefully we get a surprise in the singles.”
How well has Rafael Nadal performed at the Davis Cup?
Nadal will be hoping to end his career on a high at the Davis Cup, a tournament that he has won four times.
The Spaniard has one of the most impressive records in Davis Cup competition, having lost just five times since his debut in 2004.
In fact, Nadal is unbeaten in the competition since 2005, currently riding a 32-match winning streak spanning 19 years.
An unbelievable record that will no doubt strike fear into anyone that the Spaniard comes up against in Malaga, regardless of his age.
His most recent Davis Cup appearance came in 2019, where he clinched the title with a victory over Canada’s Denis Shapovalov after a perfect week.
Nadal will be hoping to replicate his 2019 performance at his final tournament as a professional next week.
Spain’s 2024 Davis Cup Finals campaign will begin against the Netherlands on November 19 in Malaga.
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