Alcaraz on Nadal in Davis Cup: “I don't want to think that this is a potential last dance for him”

Alcaraz et Nadal vont faire équipe pour l'Espagne à la Coupe Davis. XinHua – Gao Jing

Carlos Alcaraz said on Wednesday (September 25) that he was looking forward to teaming up with Rafael Nadal for Spain in the Davis Cup final, hoping it would not be a “last dance” for his 22-time Grand Slam champion.

Spain captain David Ferrer this week selected the two players for the finals in Malaga in November, after the pair played together in doubles at the Paris Olympics, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Nadal, 38, was selected despite not playing competitively since then and having played in just one of the last seven Grand Slams due to injuries and fitness issues.

Alcaraz, 21, said he had "missed"his compatriot at the recent Laver Cup, which the injured Majorcan did not play. Nadal has repeatedly cast doubt on whether the 2024 season could be the last of his long career.

“He can bring a lot of experience”

“I don't want to think that this is a potential last dance for him in Malaga,”, Alcaraz, a four-time major champion, said ahead of his Beijing debut Thursday.

“It is obvious that it is a great support to have him in the team. He can bring a lot of experience. For me, it will be my first Davis Cup final, it will be a great experience", he added.

"I have the chance to spend more time with him off the court, but also on the court, it will be great for the Spanish team and, I think, for the country too because it is played in Spain", Alcaraz summed up. "I hope it will not be the last time for him", he stressed.