With each passing day, the retirement of Rafael Nadal is nearing. Earlier this month, he took to social media to put rumors surrounding his retirement to rest. Nadal revealed that he will be calling time on his illustrious career after the Davis Cup Finals, slated to take place next month. It will be the Spanish legend’s farewell tournament and he will hope to have one last laugh before he retires. However, Nadal made a stirring revelation about playing singles in that event.

Spain already boasts some quality singles players like Carlos Alcaraz and Pedro Martinez, apart from Nadal. Moreover, the latter has had injury struggles this year and has only played a handful of matches. As a result, he isn’t sure about playing singles at his farewell tournament. During an interview, he said, “I’m gonna try to get ready as best as possible. But I’m only gonna play if the Captain believes I have more chances than other fellow players, not because I’m retiring. This isn’t my farewell, this is the Davis Cup.”

During the Davis Cup Finals qualifying rounds last month, Nadal was absent from Spain’s squad due to injury. In his absence, the likes of Alcaraz, Martinez, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Roberto Bautista Agut handled the singles duty. With such depth in the squad, Nadal has left it to the team’s captain David Ferrer to decide if he’ll play singles matches.

Earlier this week, Nadal participated in the Six Kings Slam exhibition event, his comeback tournament. However, he lost in straight sets against his compatriot, Alcaraz. Subsequently, he made an interesting admission about the young Spaniard.

Rafael Nadal on Carlos Alcaraz: ‘He doesn’t need much advice now’

While Nadal was at his peak and dominating the ATP circuit, Alcaraz had just picked up the racket. Subsequently, the Spanish sensation grew up watching Nadal and considered him his idol. Years later, it is Alcaraz who is at his peak and dominating the tennis circuit while Nadal is just days away from retiring. Watching Alcaraz shine on the court, Nadal is confident about a bright future ahead for Alcaraz.

He said, “Carlos was too good. He’s been playing fantastic the last few years, better and better. I think it was a good performance [from myself], but it wasn’t even enough to play against an animal like him. I think he doesn’t need much advice now. He’s showing everyone that he has a great team next to him and a great family. So I think he’s going to be going very well with what he has. He’s learning all the time and we can see that he’s evolving in every single way. But of course, I will be ready anytime he wants to call me.”

While Nadal didn’t look very hopeful about playing singles at the upcoming Davis Cup Finals, his fans would certainly want to see their hero shine in the singles for one last time before he retires. All eyes will be on David Ferrer, who will make a call ahead of the tournament. Do you think Nadal will play singles in the Davis Cup?