tennis
Nadal return? Davis Cup not completely ruled out
Rafael Nadal wants to end his glorious career in 2024. photo
© Clara Margais/dpa
It’s not possible: record champion Rafael Nadal has to do without the French Open. 2024 should be his last career year. Will he still play Davis Cup in 2023?
The Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal did not completely rule out a comeback this year when he canceled the French Open. His intention is to start again when he is “physically” and “mentally” ready.
“It could be at the end of the year and then I could try to play the Davis Cup if I feel able,” said the 36-year-old at the press conference in his tennis academy in Mallorca. Nadal had announced that he would not be competing in Paris for the first time since his debut in 2005 due to an injury.
The 14-time French Open winner left the timing of his return open. The Davis Cup finals would be in Malaga, Spain, from November 21st to 26th, Spain would have to qualify in a group stage from September 12th to 17th.
He suffers from hip problems
His hip problems have been forcing Nadal to take a break since the end of January. He won’t be able to play in the coming months either, said the 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner, announcing that the 2024 season is likely to be the last of his career.
It is painful and sad that Nadal Roland Garros cannot play, said future world number one Carlos Alcaraz (20). He hopes 2024 will be a great season for his compatriot and he can say goodbye like a champion.
“I want to try to approach the last year of my sporting career at least with the guarantee that I can enjoy it,” said the family man, who currently shares the Grand Slam record with Serbian Novak Djokovic. “I don’t know if I’ll fight for a Grand Slam again, it will be difficult. I’m not an irrational person. I’m aware of the difficulty of the situation to fight for it,” said Nadal: “But why not? I’m too a positive person.”