Rafael Nadal is set to play the final tournament of his career at this year’s Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
After 23 years as a professional, Nadal will retire from tennis after the 2024 season but still has the opportunity to end things on a high at the Davis Cup.
Nadal has won the Davis Cup with Spain four times in his career to date and will be hoping to take home one final trophy before he hangs up his racket.
The 38-year-old won 22 Grand Slam titles during his time on the ATP Tour but decided to retire at the end of 2024, after struggling with a number of injuries in recent years.
His retirement ‘farewell tour’ began earlier this year, as Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz teamed up at the Olympic games, for the doubles tournament.
The pair reached the quarter-finals, in their first experience playing doubles together, an experience that could well come in handy later this month.
Carlos Alcaraz thinks Spain have a ‘special chance’ to win the Davis Cup
Speaking in his post-match press conference after his defeat to Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals, Alcaraz previewed the Davis Cup Finals.
“It is the last tournament of the year for me, and probably one of the most special tournaments that I’m going to play,” he said.
“Last tournament of Rafa [Nadal], I’m going to be able to be next to him in the last moments on a tennis court for him.
“It’s [the] Davis Cup, it is a tournament that I really want to win one day, when I was a kid I dreamed of winning the Davis Cup for Spain.”
The 21-year-old then gave his thoughts on Spain’s chances of winning the tournament.
“This year we have a really special chance to win it,” said Alcaraz.
“I will try to help the team win the Davis Cup for me, but most importantly for Rafa, for his last tournament.
“I really want him to retire with a title, so it’s going to be really emotional and a special tournament for me.”
What doe Spain’s path to the Davis Cup Final look like?
Alcaraz, Nadal and the rest of Spain’s Davis Cup team will be looking to take home the trophy in front of a roaring home crowd in Malaga.
But what would the run to a potential sixth title look like?
Quarter-finals – Netherlands
Spain will begin their assault on the Davis Cup with a tricky tie against the Netherlands.
Dutch singles star Botic van de Zandschulp beat Alcaraz at the US Open earlier this year, and will provide a tough test for Spain.
Wesley Koolhof and Jean-Julien Rojer are also a formidable doubles team, which the Spaniards will have to be wary of.
Spain will likely be favorites for their opening tie at the Davis Cup, but taking this Netherlands team lightly, could be a grave mistake.
Semi-finals – Germany/Canada
Germany or Canada could well provide a tough test for Nadal and Spain at the Davis Cup if they were to reach the semi-finals.
The Germans seem like the easier of the two ties, not boasting an outstanding singles player in 2024.
Canada on the other hand could cause some real problems, with the likes of Denis Shapovalov, Milos Raonic, and rising star Gabriel Diallo all taking part.
Spain will be hoping to repeat their 2019 Davis Cup success, when they beat the Canadians to take home their most recent title at the event.
Final – Italy/Argentina/United States/Australia
It’s unsurprisingly harder to predict who Spain could come up against in a potential final, but it does look like Italy could go all the way.
The defending champions, led by the world number one, are the team to beat in Malaga, and Nadal and Alcaraz will need to be at their best if they want to take them down.
Sinner has been imperious in 2024, sharing the four Grand Slam titles with Alcaraz, and joined by young star Lorenzo Musetti, provide a tough outing for any of Spain’s singles competitors.
It may be the doubles where Spain takes advantage however, with Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli perhaps the weaker members of the Italian team.
Whether Nadal’s farewell will end with a title at the Davis Cup remains to be seen, but they will certainly be hoping to get things off to a strong start when they face off against the Netherlands on 19 November.
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