“He[Rafael Nadal] was my idol, he is still my idol,” Alcaraz said on court a month ago. From playing against his idol thrice since 2021 to watching him retire, Alcaraz needs a heart of rock to witness that emotional transformation. Rafael Nadal will bid farewell to the sport this month after his final appearance in the Davis Cup. Ever since he confirmed his retirement, in mid-October, the tennis world is feeling a huge void already. No one really wants the King of Clay and 22-time Grand Slam champion to leave the court just yet. However, it seems unlikely that Rafa will have a change of heart. His compatriot and rising Spanish phenom Carlos Alcaraz also believes the same. But he isn’t ready to see him off the track just yet!

For those unaware, Rafael Nadal lifted the lid on his retirement rumors, sharing a video message on social media, dated October 10th. He said, “Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis.” Reflecting on his professional journey, he said that “in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.” 

In an interaction with Marca, dated November 9th, almost a month later to Nadal’s announcement, Carlos Alcaraz was asked to comment on Rafael’s retirement. And whether he tried convincing him to change his stance. In his response, Alcaraz revealed, “No, not really. I wish I could have.” Continuing further, he said that “the decision has already been made. I asked him if it was a tough day when he announced his retirement, if it was a tough decision to make. He said yes, but it is a decision that has been carefully thought out because these decisions are not taken lightly.”

Just like all the Nadal fans across the globe, Alcaraz is also extremely upset at the moment. According to him, he would have tried his best to make him revert back. “If someone had told me that I had a chance of convincing him to continue, I would have done it”, he said. Simply because he also doesn’t “want to see him off the track yet.” At one hand, Nadal announced his retirement, Alcaraz was preparing for the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals on the other. He later admitted that the news was difficult to accept.

“Well, it was, honestly, I couldn’t believe it when I watch it. You know, it didn’t affect me at all before the match. I didn’t get distracted at all, I was just really focused on the match, I didn’t think about Rafa’s news. But obviously when I watched it, it was tough to accept it. I was in shock a little bit. Thanks that I saw it like one hour before the match, so I had time to accept it and forget it a little bit before the match,” said the 2024 Wimbledon champion in the post-match conference.

Meanwhile, Carlos will feel blessed knowing that he’ll get to play with Rafael in his final tournament. At the Davis Cup this month, they both will represent Spain’s national team.

Rafael Nadal may end the career with a 6th title win for Spain in the Davis Cup

Rafael Nadal‘s contribution to Spain’s Davis Cup domination is mind-boggling. Since his tournament debut in 2004, he has led his country to five titles. By age 22, he had already played a pivotal role in Spain’s Davis Cup victories in 2004 and 2008, contributing significantly in both singles and doubles. Moreover, he’s got a dream run at the Davis Cup so far, with a 29-1 singles match record. His only defeat came during his first year of the tournament, against Jiri Novak. For the past two decades, he’s been enjoying an invincible streak, which is absolutely phenomenal!

Nadal’s last appearance in the Davis Cup was in 2019 when he helped Spain to clinch team’s first Davis Cup title since 2011, and a sixth overall title. Spain defeated Canada 2-0 in the final battle, with Nadal registering a comfortable 6-3, 7-6 win over Denis Shapovalov. Coming back to this year’s event in Malaga, Rafa will look to extend his exceptional run. Apart from him and Alcaraz, Spain’s team also consists of Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreño Busta and Marcel Granollers.

All things considered, Nadal would like to say goodbye to the sport by giving best in the Davis Cup. “I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” he said. In his own words, he’s come full circle “since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup Final in Seville in 2004.”

Undoubtedly, his farewell will be an unforgettable occasion. Every tennis lover will look forward to cherish his final appearance on the court. Do you think he will lead Spain to another title victory in Malaga before hanging up his racket? Let us know in the comments.