When Spain hosts the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in November, 22-time major champion Rafael Nadal will be one of the members of the five-man Spanish team. He will likely pair up with world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in doubles, rekindling the partnership dubbed “Nadalcaraz” at the Paris Olympics.
The competition between Spain and the Netherlands will take place in the port city of Malaga on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol.
Alcaraz commented on Nadal’s inclusion on the Spanish Davis Cup squad and the possibility that the tournament might be the last professional tennis event for the 38-year-old legend.
“It’s incredible to have Rafa on the team and to surround myself with him as much as possible, learning both on and off the court,” Alcaraz said, via ESPN. “I don’t want to think that it might be a possible ‘last dance’ for him in Malaga. I want to enjoy the time I can have with him on and off the court.”
Alcaraz has reason to believe that this may indeed be Nadal’s swan song. Back in May of 2023, Nadal told reporters at a news conference in Manacor, Spain that a nagging hip injury would likely lead to him winding down his professional playing career in 2024.
Nadal has spent 209 weeks as the top-ranked tennis player in the world. Currently ranked No. 154, he has only played 19 tournament matches this year, posting a 12-7 record. The last singles title he won was the French Open in 2022.
The 21-year-old Alcaraz grew up idolizing Nadal. The two Spaniards have played only three times head-to-head, with Nadal winning twice. Alcaraz admitted to reporters that he was somewhat star-struck when they first played one another.
Alcaraz, who has already won four grand slam singles titles, added that Nadal’s inclusion on the Davis Cup team benefits Spain tremendously.
