Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal’s farewell: “It will probably be the most special tournament I will play in my career” | ATP Tour

Davis Cup

Alcaraz and Nadal’s farewell: “It will probably be the most special tournament I will play in my career”

The Spaniard landed this Saturday in Malaga to play the Davis Cup

November 16, 2024

One day after being eliminated from the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Carlos Alcaraz landed in Malaga to join the Spanish team, which will debut on Tuesday against the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Finals. If this competition is always special, this time it will have transcendental importance, since it will be Rafael Nadal’s last tournament as a professional.

And Alcaraz, of course, is no stranger to this. The other way around.

“It is probably the most special tournament I will play in my career, because of what it is, because of the circumstances,” Alcaraz started. “The Davis Cup has always been a tournament that I would love to win one day, I have a passion for representing Spain. I have said it many times: one of the greatest things in the world is being able to represent your country in any field. Having Rafa by my side, knowing that it is his last tournament, will make it much more special,” he continued.

“I am going to try to contribute and help the team in any way I can: for myself, for Spain, and above all for Rafa. I think he is the player who most deserves to end the incredible career he has had with a title, and I also know how special the Davis Cup is for him. It will be a difficult challenge, but at the same time very motivating to give it to Rafa.”

Alcaraz, 21, is clear about the order of priorities for the next week, aware that Nadal’s farewell is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

“Rafa’s farewell is much more important, at least for me,” said Alcaraz. “There is a Davis Cup every year, the farewell to Rafa, to a legend of the sport, unfortunately there is only one. The Davis Cup is very important, representing your country and trying to win it for Spain, but personally I am very excited to be next to Rafa at his farewell. And that it is in Davis, which is a very important tournament for him, practically where he started his career with that victory against Roddick… Being able to retire in that competition is special and for me too. It will be an incredible event due to the event that is going to take place, and I hope it ends with the title.”

Alcaraz helped Spain qualify for the Finals at 8, earning two singles points in Valencia (against Ugo Humbert in the series against France and against Tomas Machac in the tie against the Czech Republic) and one in doubles (he teamed up with Marcel Granollers to defeat Jakub Mensik and Adam Pavlasek in doubles)

Spain will debut next Tuesday against the Netherlands in the 8-man Finals of the Davis Cup.