Tennis legend Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from professional tennis on October 10th, stating that the upcoming Davis Cup will be his final tournament. While fans anticipate the bittersweet conclusion of Nadal’s illustrious career, the prospect of facing him in competition remains a formidable challenge. Rising star Ben Shelton expressed a mix of excitement and trepidation about the possibility of confronting Nadal in what could be his final tournament. All while casually chatting with Gael Monfils!

On Sunday, the official Instagram page of UTS tour shared a captivating video featuring

Ben Shelton and Gael Monfils as they reminisced about their experience of meeting Rafael Nadal during the Davis Cup. In the video, Shelton stated, “We were saying this in the car: Will Rafa play singles[in Davis Cup)?” Following that, he added, “Because, like, are they going to make him retire in doubles?”

Answering that question, Monfils replied, “Rafa is Rafa you know. If he feels ready, they will make him play. 100%.” Shelton asked, “It’s his choice, right?” “He’ll be a beast,” responded Monfils. While it was an intense discussion over Nadal’s retirement, Shelton shared his worries about facing him in the Davis Cup: “If it’s our match, he ends up playing against me. I’m gonna be so tight! So tight! He’s gonna be (grunting). The crowd, everything…This is my nightmare. I am praying that it happens. I am praying it doesn’t happen.”

Moreover, talking about Nadal’s final leg, Rafa explained how he plans to approach his final Davis Cup encounter, “Emotionally, I’m sure I’ll be ready. 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.” But will the participation be possible?

During last month’s Davis Cup Finals qualifying rounds, Rafael Nadal was sidelined due to injury, leaving Spain’s singles duties in the capable hands of Pedro Martinez, Pablo Carreño Busta, and Roberto Bautista Agut. In Nadal’s absence, the team demonstrated its depth and overcame the difficulty of playing without its most decorated player. Given the abundance of skill on the team, Rafael Nadal has given captain David Ferrer the final say over whether he plays in the singles matches.

However, Novak Djokovic made headlines with a significant retirement statement following Rafael Nadal’s emotional announcement about stepping away from professional tennis.

Novak Djokovic’s shocking take on retirement

Novak Djokovic discussed his thoughts on his tennis career in an interview with La Nación, indicating that he does not feel as though his career is nearing its end. Rafael Nadal and other great players have recently announced their retirements, but Djokovic is adamant that he still has many trophies left to win and achieve at the pinnacle of the game.

He stated, “Deep down, I still feel like I have a few more Grand Slams to win. That’s what drives me to keep going, to feel like I can still do it, and to play the Davis Cup for Serbia. Tennis is still my biggest voice for sharing the messages that interest me the most. I still enjoy the process and everything it gives me.”

Just a few weeks ago, at the Six Kings Slam event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rafael Nadal thanked Novak Djokovic from the bottom of his heart for pushing him to the limit throughout their legendary rivalry. With Nadal getting about to complete his incredible career, the touching encounter signaled the end of an era. Moreover, when Nadal thought back on their years of fierce matches, he realized that Djokovic’s unwavering intensity had both defined their rivalry and improved his own game to new heights. For both players, the exhibition was more than just a farewell—it was a celebration of mutual respect and the legacy they’ve built together.

As the tennis community prepares to bid farewell to this legendary player, the impact of his career will resonate for years to come, reminding us all the extraordinary talent and heart that defined Rafael Nadal’s time on the court.