David Ferrer says whether he now regrets picking Rafael Nadal to play in the Davis Cup for his farewell match

Follow us on Google Discover

David Ferrer reflected on the 2024 Davis Cup finals – the final event of Rafael Nadal’s illustrious career.

The 38-year-old bid farewell to professional tennis following Spain’s elimination from the team tournament courtesy of The Netherlands.

Nadal lost the final match of his career to Botic van de Zandschulp and the Malaga crowd gave him a rousing reception before he made his exit.

Five months later, Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer reflected on the final day of Nadal’s career and whether he made the right call to select him to compete.

Does David Ferrer regret picking Rafael Nadal to play in the Davis Cup finals?

Ferrer chose Rafael Nadal to play the first singles match of Spain’s Davis Cup tie against The Netherlands.

He was followed by Carlos Alcaraz who played the second singles match, before the 21-year-old competed in the deciding doubles match.

Following Nadal’s defeat and Spain’s subsequent Davis Cup exit, questions were asked about whether Nadal, given his lack of matches in 2024, should have participated in the tournament.

During an interview with Europsort Spain, Ferrer said on the subject: “At first, until you see them compete, you can’t make a decision. I made that decision consciously, confident that it would go well.

“I didn’t make it because it was Rafa or because it was his last event. I truly believed Rafa was going to compete at a very high level, I thought he was going to win, but then it didn’t work out.”

David Ferrer says what the feeling was like in the locker after Rafael Nadal’s retirement

Following Spain’s Davis Cup finals exit, a farewell ceremony was conducted in honour of Nadal, whose career had come to an end.

Ferrer issued a tribute, while an emotional Nadal addressed his home crowd before he was given a standing ovation.

Ferrer has since commented on the mood in the locker room after tennis said goodbye to one of its greatest players, and shared his thoughts on Nadal’s tribute ceremony.

“There was a lot of sadness, of course, then, as the days go by, you see everything differently,” Ferrer explained.

“When you see how Rafa handled it, that in the end he was the protagonist, it also calms you down. I felt sorry because he’s a friend of mine and I love him very much.

“That he lost and then there wasn’t a better tribute from the ITF saddened me, but his career wasn’t going to change no matter what happened that weekend.”