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Rafael Nadal doesn’t want to be a ceremonial figure at November’s Davis Cup and revealed he won’t play in the singles competition unless he believes he can win.
“Emotionally, I’m sure I’ll be ready,” he said, per ESPN’s Tom Hamilton. “Physically and in terms of tennis level, there remains a month left to prepare. I will try to be in good shape to help the team to win. If I don’t feel ready for the singles, I’ll be the first one to say.
“Be 100% sure, I will not be on court if I don’t feel ready to win my match.”
Nadal announced earlier this month that he will retire from tennis following the Davis Cup:
Rafa Nadal @RafaelNadal
Mil gracias a todos
Many thanks to all
Merci beaucoup à tous
Grazie mille à tutti
谢谢大家
شكرا لكم جميعا
תודה לכולכם
Obrigado a todos
Vielen Dank euch allen
Tack alla
Хвала свима
Gràcies a tots pic.twitter.com/7yPRs7QrOi
The all-time legend will be part of the Spain team that is matched up against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. The other quarterfinal matches pit the United States against Australia, Italy against Argentina, and Germany against Canada.
If Nadal doesn’t play in the singles competition, he could partner with Carlos Alcaraz in the doubles tournament. He partnered with Alcaraz during the 2024 Paris Olympics and reached the quarterfinals.
Regardless of whether Nadal plays in the Davis Cup, he is one of the sport’s greatest legends and is walking away with a resume that few can match.
He has 22 Grand Slam titles and 92 singles titles. Only Novak Djokovic (24) has more Grand Slam singles titles among men’s players, and Nadal became almost synonymous with the French Open because of his overwhelming dominance at the event.
He won the tournament a record 14 times and further cemented his legacy as the King of Clay.
Tennis fans surely want to see Nadal take the court for a final time in singles competition at the Davis Cup, but he still wants to win if he does.