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The legendary Spaniard, who is set to call time on his illustrious career, assured that he would save the emotions for the end of the Davis Cup event and is completely focused on Spain’s fixture against The Netherlands in the quarterfinals at Malaga.
Spain’s tennis player Rafael Nadal attends a press conference in Fuengirola, southern Spain, on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spanish legend Rafael Nadal who is set to hang up his racquet following the conclusion of the Davis Cup assured that he would save the emotions for the end of the event and is completely focused on the task at hand as Spain host The Netherlands in the quarterfinal round of the event at Malaga.
“I am not here to retire. I’m here to try to help the team,” Nadal said.
“It’s of course going to be my last week on the professional tour, but at the end, we are here in a teams competition,” he added.
“The most important thing here is to stay all focused on what we have to do, that is play tennis and to do it very well. Because the rival is going to be difficult, and the conditions are difficult too,” the southpaw continued.
“So then the emotions are going to be for the end,” the 38-year-old added.
Nadal, who has been plagued by a bout of injuries towards the tail-end of his illustrious career revealed the challenges in not venturing out to competitive games on a regular basis, but was confident that he could put his best foot forward for his nation at the team event.
“Of course when you are not competing very often, it’s a little bit more difficult to hold the level on a constant basis, I’ve had good moments and more difficult moments. I think the improvement is there every day, but, I mean, we have a great team on Spain,” said Nadal.
“All these players on the tour are playing very well, having great seasons. It’s the work of the captain to decide what he feels is better for the team,” he added.
Nadal will be joined by Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez, and Marcel Granollers in a strong Spanish contingent for the Davis Cup tie.
Nadal’s struggles with injuries in the last two years of his glorious career advanced his decision to drop the curtains on his professional stint but expressed that he is at peace with his decision.
“I achieved the most important thing for me because I arrived to this day and I am in peace that I gave all that I had,” said Nadal.
“I’m going to leave this professional tour with the calm and with the personal satisfaction that I gave my best almost in every single moment,” he explained.
“This is going to be my last week on the professional tour, but I don’t think it’s going to be my last goodbye. So there’s going to be other chances to do something,” the legendary southpaw concluded.