Andrés Iniesta said goodbye to football today (he will officially do so on October 8) y Rafa Nadal will say goodbye to tennis in 2024, in Malaga, in the Davis Cup. And yes, this will be the final one. I am fully convinced and I wish it to be so. Because it couldn’t be any other way, on Spanish soil and fighting for a title for the Spanish. And that the retirements of the quintessential Spanish sports heroes coincide is no coincidence.
Because that’s how fate, his injuries and the Manacorí tennis player himself have wanted it. It was he who called David Ferrer to enter your call and not the other way around. One more than enough clue to intuit the decision that, today, the Balearic Islander has in his head.
If, then, the ‘Salad Bowl’ is not won, the story might not end here. But it should. Because better to do it actively than to have to announce it due to a new injury. There are many athletes who have achieved everything, who have nothing more to prove because they have achieved everything and because they can no longer afford it anymore and who do not know how to accept their retirement. In football is where we can find the most cases, but in tennis lately as well. See the cases of Roger Federer or Andy Murray, who have hung up their racket almost crawling.
Rafa Nadal’s withdrawal from the Davis Cup
It is not necessary Rafa, we want to keep your best image. Already in your last Grand Slam (Roland Garros 2024) you had bad luck with the draw and you had to face the German Alexander Zverev, who in the end was a finalist and lost to Carlos Alcaraz, your possible successor, in the final. And then, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games You also fell at the first opportunity against the winner of the gold medal, a certain Novak Djokovic.
Nobody can blame you for anything, your last participations in big tournaments have been decent and no one who was not in the top 5 eliminated you. Go easy. Winning your latest title or simply enjoying yourself on the track. Because you deserve it and we deserve it. Don’t make us suffer anymore.
Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, a problem in sight in the Davis Cup
The witness has already been handed over, Carlos Alcaraz has taken it and grabbed it tightly, Time will tell us if it doesn’t wear out before you, if it surpasses you or if it ties you, but it has given us back the illusion.
And one last favor, although I know very well that you don’t need to miss it because you have always demonstrated your professionalism: act as leader but make it easy for David Ferrer. If you have options, play, if not… at least let Marcel Granollers and Carlos Alcaraz play the doubles. It’s the best for everyone.
