Rafael Nadal urged to delay retirement amid Davis Cup 'last dance' rumours

09/26/2024 10:01 AM

Carlos Alcaraz ‘hopes’ Rafael Nadal will not enter retirement in November, despite rumours that he is set to play his last event at the Davis Cup Finals.

Nadal, 38, is finally approaching the end of his incredible career and has spoken about plans to hang up his racket on a number of different occasions this year.

With fellow Big Four stars Roger Federer and Andy Murray having already retired, it will leave just Novak Djokovic when Nadal decides to bring the curtain down.

The latest rumour is that Nadal will play his last professional event in Malaga in just two months – but Alcaraz is desperate for his Spanish compatriot to continue.

‘Hopefully, it's not going to be the last time for him,’ Wimbledon champion Alcaraz said when asked about Nadal’s possible retirement at the Davis Cup.

‘It's always great having Rafa around. I miss him. I'm not going to lie, I missed him at the Laver Cup.

‘Obviously, as much time as I can spend with him, for me it's a privilege. I don't want to think that it is a potential last dance for him in Malaga.

‘I just want to think that I will be trying to live or to enjoy his time around, to enjoy seeing him on court as much as I can.

‘Obviously, it is a great support having him in the team. He can bring a lot of experience to the Davis Cup.

‘For me, it's going to be my first Davis Cup Final. It's going to be a great experience for me.

‘To have the chance to spend more time off the court, on the court as well, with him, it's going to be great for Team Spain and I think for the country as well, that we're playing in Spain.’

Alcaraz and Nadal teamed up for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer but the duo were unable to land a doubles medal for their country.

The Spaniards lost in the quarter-finals to Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the United States.