David Ferrer is receiving regular updates from Rafael Nadal’s camp ahead of the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga where the 22-time Grand Slam champion will play the last tournament of his career.
Nadal has confirmed he will be retiring at the end of the season at the team event which Spain will be hoping to win for the first time since 2019. The 38-year-old hasn’t played a competitive match since the Paris Olympics and the last time he played such a match on a hardcourt was in January at the Brisbane International.
However, Spanish Davis Cup captain Ferrer is optimistic about the current form of his fellow compatriot. He has also selected Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers for the finals.
“I have a lot of confidence in Rafa because I’ve spent my entire career with him and I know he’s honest about whether he sees himself capable of competing or not. My idea after talking to him is that he’s ready to play,” Ferrer said during an interview with Marca.
“I spoke to Rafa on Wednesday, I am also in constant contact with his coach Carlos Moyá and his agent Carlos Costa. They are updating me day by day.
“I will decide in Malaga (on what match he will play) when I see how he is training. But the same will happen with the rest of the players. If Nadal is training at a good level and is physically fit, he is an option, of course.”
Except for an injury setback, it is widely expected that Nadal will play in some capacity considering it is his last event. Ferrer says he usually decides the entries two or three days before the tie but is prepared to wait longer with Nadal. Spain’s first clash will be against the Netherlands on November 17th which is two days after the ATP Finals ends. Both Alcaraz and Granollers will be playing at that event.
“The fact that you have two important players in Turin, with chances of winning the Masters, and they arrive later than usual and play on Tuesday, is not the best, to be honest,” Ferrer commented.
As for the pressure of trying to deliver a fairytale ending for Nadal by winning the trophy, Ferrer is taking it all in his stride.
“I think it’s always better to have that extra pressure,” he said.
“It’s Rafa’s last tournament and everyone wants to be there. That motivation and that desire to go as far as possible. It’s always better to play at home and with the crowd behind you.
“Pressure? That’s what there is when you play in a competition and you have to accept it. This is still sport. Winning or not winning is not going to change the players’ careers. What will change is that it will be a different year because of what Rafa Nadal represents.”
During his career, Ferrer played Nadal 32 times on the Tour but only won six of their meetings. His only Grand Slam final appearance was against the King of Clay at the 2013 French Open which he lost in straight sets.
As for the future, it is unclear as to what Nadal might decide to do. Although Ferrer believes he would make a good candidate to succeed him one day in the Davis Cup.
“Rafa can do whatever he wants and he would be a great Davis Cup captain because he loves this competition.” He said.
“For the rest and the humility he has for such a great player, he will be a very good captain. He will contribute a lot to the young players and, in addition, he has personality, which is important for sitting in the chair.”
