Spanish Davis Cup captain David Ferrer believes there is a good chance that Rafael Nadal will play next season as long as he doesn’t suffer another significant injury blow.
Nadal has only played one tournament so far this season which was during the first week of January at the Brisbane International where he reached the quarter-finals. The former world No.1 recorded wins over Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler before losing to Jordan Thompson. It was the first time he had played on the Tour in almost a year due to a hip injury.
Shortly after that event, the Spaniard was sidelined from action once again due to a small tear in his hip muscle and hasn’t played since. He is set to begin his latest comeback next week at an exhibition event in Los Vegas where he will play Carlos Alcaraz before travelling to Indian Wells.
Nadal’s physical issues have triggered speculation about when the 37-year-old might retire from the sport and he has previously mentioned this year might be his last. Although his future is still up in the air with Ferrer maintaining an upbeat outlook.
“If he does not have physical injuries, I am convinced that he will be competitive. It was already shown in the first week of the year in Brisbane that he was at a very high level without barely competing. If he doesn’t have any injuries he will be competitive and if he is competitive, he will continue for another year.” Ferrer said during an interview with Marca.
Ferrer, who won 27 ATP titles and reached a ranking high of number three during his career, says one of Nadal’s priorities for the 2024 will be the upcoming Summer Olympics. The four-year sporting extravaganza is being held in Paris with the tennis competition being staged at Roland Garros. The venue of the French Open which Nadal has won a record 14 times, including in 2013 when he beat Ferrer in the final.
“What I can say is that we have to wait a little to see how Rafa goes on the Indian Wells tour and then on the clay tour, which is very important to see how he feels.” He said.
“Today, Rafa’s priority, before the Davis Cup, is the (Olympic) Games. Have a good clay tour, feel competitive and be at the Paris event.”
Nadal is a two-time Olympic champion, winning the singles title in 2008 and the doubles event in 2016.
As for the Davis Cup, Ferrer is hopeful that Nadal will play in the event with the possibility of the king of clay teaming up with Alcaraz to play in the doubles. Spain failed to qualify for the finals last year which was staged in their home country.
“The option that he (Nadal) can play doubles with Carlos Alcaraz is something that all tennis fans and I, as captain, are very excited to see being there,” Ferrer stated.
Nadal’s upcoming exhibition showdown against Alcaraz will take place on March 3rd at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. Ferrer will be commentating on the match alongside Feliciano Lopez.
