Nadal Begins Farewell Tuesday In Spain Against Netherlands In Davis Cup

Rafael Nadal’s final week as a pro begins Tuesday in Spain where his home country faces the Netherlands in a Davis Cup quarterfinal tie.

“I cannot predict what’s going on. If I am on court, hopefully [I will] not [be emotional], because at the end I am not here for retiring. I’m here to try to help the team,” Nadal said.

“The most important thing here is to try to help the team and to stay all focused on what we have to do, that is play tennis and do it very well no?” he added. “Because the rival is going to be difficult, and the conditions are difficult too. So then the emotions are going to be for the end, and before and during it’s to be focused on what we need to do.”

Carlos Alcaraz will lead the way in singles alongside Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez, and Marcel Granollers. Nadal could be in the doubles or even the singles, depending on what coach David Ferrer decides.

“Representing Spain here in Davis Cup, being with [Rafa], sharing a lot of moments off the court, on the court. And his last moments on court are probably going to be super special. Not just for me, but for everyone,” Alcaraz said.

The Dutch will be no slouch with Tallon Griekspoor, Botic van ve Zhandschulp, Jesper de Jong and the retiring Wesley Koolhof.

“I think everybody is excited to play Spain,” Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis said. “It’s amazing that it might be the last match that Nadal plays, and we hope to give him a nice adios.”

Added Griekspoor who will match up with Alcaraz, “I think it’s a special occasion for everyone but also for us to play Alcaraz/Nadal here in Malaga…. Nadal’s last event, so I expect, well, crazy atmosphere. I think it’s going to be an amazing day, and hopefully we’re able to get a result against them.”

The tie will be three matches with two singles and one doubles.

The winner will take on the Wednesday’s Germany-Canada victor in the semifinals on Friday. On THursday, The USA will face Australia and Italy takes on Argentina.