David Ferrer, the Spanish captain, has appraised Rafael Nadal’s chances of playing singles matches in the Davis Cup Finals, his final tournament.
Ferrer added that he believes Nadal is “ready to play” after speaking with his renowned compatriot, and that he will not determine his lineup until two or three days before Spain’s quarter-final match.
Nadal will retire after competing in the 2024 Davis Cup Final 8 stage in Malaga, which runs from November 19 to November 24.
It is uncertain whether Nadal would compete in singles, doubles, or both, but the 38-year-old legend has hinted that he may not participate at all if he does not feel physically prepared.
“Will I be prepared for the Davis Cup?” “Emotionally, yes; physically and tennis-wise, I still have a month ahead of me,” the 22-time Grand Slam winner remarked at a press conference during the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh last month.
“I will prepare and strive to stay in condition to help the squad win. If I feel ready and the captain agrees, he will make the decision. If I don’t feel ready, I’ll be the first to step back and figure out how I can help.
“First, I must be the one who feels competitive in order to participate in the game; after that, you can win or lose; it is part of the sport. If I’m not 100 percent or if I’m not going to win my match, I won’t play.”
In an interview with Marca, Ferrer was questioned if Nadal’s decision to only compete if he feels ready provides him peace of mind.
“Yes, absolutely. I am frequently told, ‘What a mess you’ve been dealt’. And I answer, “No, that’s lucky.” It’s true that, in the end, I’m the captain, and I have to make the decision,” the Spaniard remarked.
“I have a lot of faith in Rafa because I’ve spent my entire career with him, and I know he’s open about whether he believes he’s capable of competing or not. My impression after speaking with him is that he is ready to play.”
The former world number three discussed whether the Six Kings Slam influenced his mind about picking Nadal to play singles.
“I don’t know; he’s training. I spoke with Rafa on Wednesday, and I’m in frequent contact with his coach, Carlos Moya, and his agent, Carlos Costa. “They keep me updated on a daily basis,” Ferrer concluded.
“I will make a decision in Malaga after seeing how he trains. But the same will happen to the remaining players. Of course, if Nadal trains well and is physically fit, he is a viable possibility.
“I will know who is going to play two or three days in advance. Normally, I decide on the team three days in advance and notify the players so that they may psychologically prepare themselves. That has always been my method of operating.
“In Malaga, thanks to Rafa, you can always wait a bit longer. But I believe I’ll have it quite clear two or three days before.”
Spain will face the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on November 19. Along with Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Marcel Granollers have been chosen to Spain’s roster, with a fifth player still to be confirmed.