Spain captain David Ferrer defends decision to play Rafael Nadal in Davis Cup singles

11/22/2024 06:40 PM

Spanish Davis Cup team captain David Ferrer defended his decision to pick Rafael Nadal for singles by claiming that he noticed daily improvement in the Spaniard's level and that he was confident that he would go out and compete as hard as ever. 

Since the moment the 38-year-old announced the Davis Cup Finals would be his last pro tournament, the first question was whether the former world No. 1 would be selected for singles, knowing how the last several months went. But since it was set to be a farewell for one of the greatest players ever, the general expectation was that it would happen. 

And on Tuesday - just hours before the Spain and Netherlands tie - it was confirmed in Malaga that Nadal would play in the opening match. Unfortunately for the home nation and local fans, it didn't go well after world No. 80 Botic van de Zandschulp ousted the Spanish tennis icon 6-4 6-4. 

Later, Carlos Alcaraz won his singles match to level the tie but then he and Marcel Granollers lost in the deciding doubles match. 

Since Nadal was far from his best, some criticized Ferrer and argued that he forced the 38-year-old's appearance and should have instead let Roberto Bautista Agut play. However, the 2013 French Open finalist doesn't agree with that.

"I was clear that between Rafa and Roberto, seeing how they trained and Rafa improving day by day, I was confident that Rafa is a competitive beast. It was an unknown but if I had to bet on someone, I had to give him that opportunity. And in doubles, Granollers and Carlos had already played together, Carlos is powerful serving on an indoor court and so is Granollers. In doubles, Rafa had not played since the Games," the Spanish captain said.

Also, Ferrer made it clear that he didn't feel Nadal failing to deliver to Spain at this year's Davis Cup would diminish his greatness a bit.

“I'm sad about everything, about how it was, losing the tie, it's sport and you know it's going to be even. It wasn't the scenario we wanted. We were favorites, but we didn't show it. Rafa's greatness is not going to change with a better or worse tribute," the former world No. 3 added.

Following a straight-set defeat to the 80th-ranked Dutchman, the record 14-time French Open champion himself admitted that he would not select himself for another singles match in Malaga if Spain managed to make it past Netherlands. 

If I would be the captain, probably I will change, I don’t put myself the next day. I will keep working hard every day to be on the team in case the team needs me one more time. If not, just support from the bench," the 38-year-old said.

Also, Nadal insisted that he told Ferrer numerous times that he didn't want him to feel pressured into giving him a shot in singles. Instead, he wanted the captain to make a reasonable decision.

“I give him, since the beginning, the input that he doesn’t need to feel any pressure to put me,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion added.

Two and a half weeks before the start of the Davis Cup Finals, the Spanish captain said he was communicating regularly with Nadal and his team. Also, the 42-year-old said that he had no doubt that if the former world No. 1 wasn't ready, he would tell him. 

"Yes, absolutely. I often get told: 'what a mess you've been dealt'. And I say no, it's lucky. It's true that in the end I'm the captain and I'm the one who has to decide. I have a lot of confidence in Rafa because I've spent my entire career with him and I know he's honest about whether he sees himself capable of competing or not. My idea after talking to him is that he's ready to play," Ferrer told Marca in early November. 

At the time, the captain also said he wouldn't make any decisions before seeing practice in Malaga.

"I don't know, he is training. I spoke to Rafa on Wednesday, I am also in constant contact with his coach Carlos Moyá and his agent Carlos Costa. They are updating me day by day. I will decide in Malaga, when I see how he is training. But the same will happen with the rest of the players. If Nadal is training at a good level and is physically fit, he is an option, of course," Ferrer added. 

After Spain's defeat to Netherlands, Nadal got a little ceremony and held a retirement speech.