Carlos Alcaraz expressed his delight at Rafael Nadal joining Spain's Davis Cup team for the quarterfinals in November, hoping that the event in Malaga does not signify the end of the 22-time Grand Slam champion's illustrious career. Nadal's inclusion came as a surprise for the Nov. 19-24 finals. The 38-year-old had last competed at the Paris Olympics in July and subsequently sat out the US Open and the Laver Cup this month due to fitness issues.
Nadal has hinted that he might retire this year, citing a hip injury that required surgery and limited his appearances in 2023. There has been speculation that the Davis Cup could mark his final appearance. "It's always fantastic to have Rafa around. I miss him. I won't deny that I missed him at the Laver Cup. Any time I can spend with him is a privilege," Alcaraz said, recalling their doubles partnership at the Paris Games.
"I don't want to consider this as his potential farewell in Malaga. I just want to enjoy watching him play as much as possible." Alcaraz emphasized the value of Nadal's experience, stating, "It's a great boost to have him on the team. He brings a wealth of experience to the Davis Cup."
Nadal had initially planned to return at the Laver Cup before ultimately withdrawing, and he has not disclosed his plans for any tournaments leading up to the Davis Cup. Alcaraz, who was ousted by unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open, believes his performance in guiding Team Europe to victory at the Laver Cup was ideal preparation for the China Open, which starts on Thursday.
"I played some excellent matches at the Laver Cup, which significantly boosted my confidence for this tournament," Alcaraz shared in Beijing. "I defeated Ben Shelton, who was in top form, and Taylor Fritz, who had just come from the final in New York." He added, "These victories are great for my confidence and level, giving me extra energy and the knowledge that I'm prepared to achieve a good result, especially with a challenging draw ahead."
