Home CODVIP CODVIP gambling slots CODVIP elite slots
casinyeam Rafael Nadal will head into retirement after Davis Cup
Updated:2024-11-20 02:11    Views:115

Rafael Nadal Spain Davis Cup Rafael Nadal Spain Davis Cup

Spain’s tennis legend Rafael Nadal smiles during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga, southern Spain, on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

MALAGA, Spain — Rafael Nadal’s impending retirement will loom over the Davis Cup Final 8 from the moment it begins Tuesday in southern Spain.

If that weren’t already obvious, just glance at the banner measuring 28,000 square feet (2,600 square meters) — about half the size of a football field — that wraps around the soccer stadium across the street from the arena hosting the tennis. The blue sign, visible from the highway leaving Malaga’s airport, is marked with large white letters that read, “GRACIAS, RAFA.” Between those two words is an image of Nadal toting a tennis racket in his left hand while wearing one of his trademark sleeveless shirts and his just-as-ever-present headband.

Article continues after this advertisement

He is shown with his back to the world, walking away, symbolizing the 38-year-old Spaniard’s goodbye to the sport after a remarkable career.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers SPORTS New Zealand Tall Blacks make for tough Gilas Pilipinas assignment SPORTS LA Tenorio named new Gilas Youth coach with 'continuity' in mind READ: Rafael Nadal defeated by Alcaraz in Saudi as career nears end

“It’s going to be very exciting for everyone,” said tournament director Feliciano Lopez, a former player who faced Nadal 14 times on tour as an opponent in singles and also was his Davis Cup teammate. “Very emotional, at the same time.”

That sentiment likely applies to Nadal’s fans, other players, his family — his wife and their son have attended practice — and, quite understandably, the 22-time Grand Slam champion himself as Tuesday approaches. That’s when Spain faces the Netherlands on an indoor hard court at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena.

Article continues after this advertisement

“It’s amazing that it might be the last match that Nadal plays,” Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis said Sunday, “and we hope to give him a nice ‘Adios.’”

Article continues after this advertisement

Nadal had hip surgery in June 2023 and missed nearly all of that season. He dealt with a new hip muscle problem this year and an abdominal injury, part of a long series of issues that contributed to his body feeling like what he described as “a jungle” in May after losing in the first round of the French Open, the clay-court Slam he’s won a record 14 times.

Article continues after this advertisement

That was his only Grand Slam appearance all year; Nadal played a total of just 23 official singles matches over the past two seasons combined. That includes going 12-7 in 2024. His last real matches came at the Olympics in early August, when he lost in the second round of singles to Novak Djokovic and in the quarterfinals of doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz.

Spain’s captain, David Ferrer, the 2013 French Open runner-up to Nadal, has not yet told the world how he will employ the star in Malaga.

Article continues after this advertisement

Could be for singles, although Nadal said he’ll step aside if he doesn’t think he can win. Could be in doubles with his 21-year-old heir apparent, Alcaraz, in a renewal of their “Nadalcaraz” partnership. Could be both. If Spain gets past the Netherlands, it would face Germany or Canada in the semifinals on Friday.

“I really want him to retire with a title,” Alcaraz said.

READ: Djokovic tells Rafael Nadal: ‘Your legacy will live forever’

Thursday’s quarterfinals feature the United States against Australia, and defending champion Italy — whose roster features No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner — against Argentina. The winners of those matchups will meet in the semifinals on Saturday; the championship will be decided Sunday.

When Nadal explained last month that the Davis Cup would be it for him, he spoke in happy terms about his more than two decades in the sport.

“Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true,” he said.

He becomes the second member of the so-called Big Three of men’s tennis to retire.

Roger Federer announced his departure in 2022 — teaming with Nadal in doubles at the Laver Cup, then crying alongside his longtime rival and, eventually, friend — while Djokovic is still near the top of the game.

Djokovic’s Serbia did not qualify for the Davis Cup quarterfinals, but he wrote on social media that he would be on hand in Malaga. Who knows who else might show up in the sellout crowd of 9,200 on Tuesday, not just from the world of tennis, and not just athletes from other sports, but other celebrities, as well?

“I don’t know if we’re going to have seats for everyone,” Lopez said. “Everyone wants to be there for his farewell.”

There will be plenty of folks tuning in on TV from afar, including other tennis players, of course.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

“I’m going to watch it. I’m going to enjoy itcasinyeam,” said 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who lost to Nadal in two Grand Slam finals. “It’s a big moment for the sport, because he did so much for the sport.”

READ NEXT Chua rules Masters event; Malig scores perfect game Jake Paul believes he can fight for title in two years EDITORS' PICK SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers Man-yi leaves 7 dead in PH and worsens crisis from successive storms PDEA, DDB open to downgrading marijuana from dangerous drugs list ‘Amihan’ season begins, says Pagasa Kremlin vows 'response' if Ukraine fires US missiles into Russia Thanksgiving 2024: Nearly 80 million expected to travel for the holiday MOST READ Poll watchdogs laud Comelec’s update on social media regulations Comelec lists approved areas for mock elections, no date set yet House insists on ‘ayuda’ Senate wants to defund Peso may fall to 59, BSP to intervene Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

Powered by CODVIP|CODVIP gambling slots|CODVIP elite slots @2013-2022 RSS地图 HTML地图