Málaga, Spain, Nov 18 (EFE).- Rafa Nadal Monday dismissed speculation about his retirement as he ed the Spanish national team for the Davis Cup finals, stressing his focus on helping Spain claim the prestigious Salad Bowl, though his participation remains undecided.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been rigorously training for the past few days to ready himself for the competition.
Despite limited matches this year, Nadal has worked tirelessly over the past two and a half months to regain form. Yet, his final inclusion in the lineup against the Netherlands hinges on a decision by captain David Ferrer, expected on match day.
Acknowledging the challenges of returning to peak performance, Nadal itted it is “difficult to achieve consistency and rhythm” after playing so little. “I don’t know how I’ll respond in a match situation, but I’m preparing to be as ready as I can.
He added that if chosen to play, he would approach it “with maximum enthusiasm and determination.”
While questions about his retirement dominated the press conference attended by over 100 journalists, Nadal downplayed the attention. “An era is ending, but it’s part of life. There’s no ideal farewell. My focus is on the Davis Cup, whether I’m on the court or cheering from the sidelines.”
Reflecting on his career, Nadal said he had not burned out from tennis. “If I could, I’d continue playing, but I can’t perform at a level that personally fulfills me.” He stressed that his decision to step away was made with peace of mind, ensuring he left no room for regret.
The sentiment of Nadal’s teammates mirrored his legacy.
Captain David Ferrer called his presence “a blessing for everyone,” while Carlos Alcaraz described it as “a privilege to learn from him on and off the court.”
Roberto Bautista lauded Nadal as “an example for all of us,” and Marcel Granollers expressed gratitude for sharing moments with him dating back to their teenage years.
Nadal summed up his mindset on calling it a day.
“The farewell doesn’t matter. What’s important is the Davis Cup. I’m going to enjoy every moment.” EFE
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