Finally, the wait is over for Rafa fans! “It was he who initiated it and wanted to be in the finals from the very beginning,” said Davis Cup Spanish team captain David Ferrer of Rafael Nadal’s most awaited comeback in Malaga! After his Laver Cup withdrawal and absence from the tennis world since the Paris Olympics, fans have been waiting to see him in action. And now that he is ready for it, another question arises: who will be his doubles partner? Well, Ferrer might have an answer to that as well!

One highlight of the 2024 Paris Olympics was the debut partnership of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in doubles and their quarterfinal run in the Roland Garros. For Alcaraz it was an “unbelievable experience,” and for Nadal, it was “another lifetime experience (of his career) to share with Carlos, an amazing player who I think is going to be of course one of the best in the history of this sport.”

But what if we witness another partnership of the duo, nicknamed “Nadalcaraz”? The 42-year-old former player, Ferrer, who previously took the responsibility of convincing Nadal to play in Malaga (and successfully did it), has now hinted at a possible doubles partnership between Alcaraz and Nadal in Davis Cup!

During an interview with puntodebreak.com, Ferrer answered the question, “Will there be doubles with Nadal-Alcaraz?” with a response, “I don’t know. There are two months left, everyone on the list has to compete. I couldn’t say right now. The good thing is that there are many possibilities to combine doubles depending on physical exhaustion, how the qualifying round goes… We have a very good team to do important things, but in this format the competition is very equal.”

Further illustrating the format, Ferrer added, “They have very good doubles. You can have two good singles, but if you lose one, things have become very complicated. Also, it is a very difficult tournament, with the eight best in the world.” Although he did not provide a confirmation, fans are waiting to see the duo in the Spanish team that has won three wins in the three ties of the 112th edition of Davis Cup. 

However, with or without a partnership with Alcaraz, Nadal, who has been a key member during the nation’s Davis Cup victory four times previously, is all set to aim for a seventh Davis Cup title for Spain this year! However, amid the celebrations, one thought still lingers in many fans’ heads! Is that going to be Rafael Nadal’s retirement match? Ferrer has shared his views on this matter too!

“It’s a very personal matter,” Ferrer says about Rafael Nadal’s potential retirement in Malaga

Rafael Nadal, who will be taking part in the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia (in October), will come to Malaga after that tournament. Moreover, by then, the season will be nearing its end. Therefore, speculations about Nadal’s impending retirement in Malaga have now become the talk of the town. However, Nadal, who announced his potential retirement earlier this season after suffering from his persistent hip injuries for a long time, has made no confirmation yet. But, per Ferrer, “It’s a very personal matter; everyone retires as they wish. I can’t say what the perfect retirement would be.”

Furthermore, he added, “It’s very difficult to manage that. But as long as Rafa is happy, it’s good enough for me.” However, he is sure about one thing, which is that if Nadal comes to Malaga, he will be “in top shape” and propel the Spanish team to success. As we wait for another thrilling Davis Cup final, Rafael Nadal’s appearance will definitely add an extra layer of intrigue among fans. And if Alcaraz joins hands with Nadal, our excitement will be even higher!