Rafael Nadal's Davis Cup farewell plan hits a snag that may affect Novak Djokovic
11/06/2024 03:46 PM
Plans are being finalised for Rafael Nadal’s big send-off at the Davis Cup Finals, but a major issue has emerged over the timing of the event
The 38-year-old Spaniard, who won 22 Grand Slam titles including 14 at the French Open, confirmed the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga later this month will be the final event of his professional career.
"The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don't think I have been able to play without limitations,” said Nadal as he confirmed his retirement.
"It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make but in this life, everything has a beginning and an end."
"I think it is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.
"Now I’m very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.
"I think I've come full circle since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup Final in Seville in 2004."
Tickets for each of Spain’s potential ties at the Davis Cup Finals are changing hands for tens of thousands of euros on the resale market, but the precise timing of Nadal’s retirement ceremony is yet to be confirmed.
Nadal’s great rival Novak Djokovic is among those who have confirmed his desire to attend the Malaga, with Davis Cup Finals Tournament Director Feliciano Lopez admitting the date of the send-off is hard to finalise.
The plan is to give Nadal his big farewell once Spain plays their final match in the tournament, but that could be after their opening match against the Netherlands on Tuesday, November 14 or five days later if they get to the Final on Sunday.
“We will have everything planned, but we don’t know when that will be yet,” said former Spain Davis Cup star Lopez.
“There are a lot of uncertainties. Of course, when he said Davis Cup was going to be his final tournament, all the attention went to his farewell and the celebration, but the competition itself is so important I don’t think Rafa’s farewell is going to overshadow the event.
“The most important thing for Rafa is the team. He doesn’t want to do anything that can possibly affect the team. The priority for Rafa is Spain and once they have finished in the competition, we can do something for him.”
More Tennis News
Rafael Nadal's achievements 'beyond the reach of any human being', says former world No 9
Lopez also confirmed Davis Cup Finals organisers are being inundated with requests to attend Nadal’s last match, with space the big issue for organisers in Malaga.
“I think almost everyone in the world wants to be present for this moment,” he added.
“Novak Djokovic has said he wants to be there and also Andy Murray. There are many more who want to be there and I don’t know if we are going to have seats for everyone.
“As you can imagine, all the tennis players that played in his time want to be there. Other athletes from different sports in Spain and everywhere in the world want to be part of this. So I’m sure it’s going to be a very special moment.”
Roger Federer is likely to have requested to attend the farewell match for his great rival, after Nadal left his pregnant wife to be present for his last appearance on court at the Laver Cup in September 2022.
Yet Lopez and his fellow Davis Cup organisers may struggle to have the all-star cast-list present for Nadal’s final match, as it is unlikely those hoping to attend will be ready to spend up to six days in Malaga to ensure they are there for the big moment.
READ NEXT: Rafael Nadal's farewell party set to feature two of his biggest rivals
The post Rafael Nadal’s Davis Cup farewell plan hits a snag that may affect Novak Djokovic appeared first on Tennis365.
