New Delhi: After Rafael Nadal was included in Spain’s Davis Cup squad for their quarter-final lash, hopes of him carrying on playing beyond this year has grown within Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal hasn’t been in competitive action since the Paris Olympics but found a place for the quarter-finals that will be held in Malaga from November 19 to 21.
The 22 Grand Slam champion has only played in one of the last seven Grand Slams because of injury and fitness issues.
He and Alcaraz teamed up for doubles at Paris 2024 and could again play together at Davis Cup.
Alcaraz relishes the prospect of playing with Nadal though he hopes it won’t be the last time it happens.
“I don’t want to think that it is a potential last dance for him in Malaga,” he said on Wednesday, as quoted by AFP.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz is currently in Beijing for the China Open, a tournament Nadal has skipped after staying away from the recent Laver Cup in Berlin.
“Obviously it is a great support having him in the team. He can bring a lot of experience. For me it’s going to be my first Davis Cup final, it’s going to be a great experience for me,” the 21-year-old Alcaraz said.
“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. Hopefully it’s not going to be the last time for him.”
The 38-year-old had previously said 2024 will be his last year on the ATP circuit after being crippled by multiples injuries and surgeries over the years.
‘Scheduling congestion a big issue’
Alcaraz has recently voiced concerns over growing number of matches on the circuit and said many of his fellow players also share his viewpoint.
“I’ve seen and I’ve heard a lot of players complain about the schedule, about the calendar as well,” he said.
Rafael Nadal hasn’t been in competitive action since the Paris Olympics but found a place for Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final clash in Malaga in November. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
