Tennis

Rafael Nadal's illustrious Davis Cup career is set to culminate in Malaga this week, as the Spanish legend prepares for his final professional appearance in the prestigious tournament. Nadal's presence will undoubtedly draw immense attention, but he emphasizes that his focus remains on contributing to Spain's success.Nadal's Davis Cup journey began two decades ago, when he made his debut against the Netherlands at the age of 17. Despite losing in doubles, Spain emerged victorious, and Nadal's star began to rise. Now, as he approaches the end of his career, he recognizes the importance of prioritizing the team's goals over his personal farewell.Spain's captain, David Ferrer, faces a strategic dilemma: how to best utilize Nadal's experience and skills to maximize Spain's chances of winning their seventh Davis Cup title this century. Should Nadal play as the No. 2 singles player behind Carlos Alcaraz, or should he contribute in doubles alongside Alcaraz, Marcel Granollers, Roberto Bautista Agut, or Pedro Martinez?Nadal's impressive Davis Cup record of 29-1 in singles and his contributions to Spain's previous titles weigh heavily in his favor. However, his current world ranking of 155th and recent struggles raise questions about his suitability for singles play. Martinez and Bautista Agut, ranked 42nd and 46th respectively, offer strong alternatives.In doubles, Nadal's shot-making prowess remains a valuable asset. He and Alcaraz performed well at the Olympics, but the experienced Granollers, a former world No. 1 in doubles, presents an equally compelling option.Ultimately, Ferrer's decision will depend on his assessment of Nadal's fitness and the team's overall strategy. Nadal's desire to contribute and his understanding of the team's priorities will likely influence the captain's choice.

At 46 years old, Bob Bryan may not relish the thought of playing Rafael Nadal this week at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain. But he hopes to coach against him, a scenario that would mean the U.S. captain's team would be in the final."It's a great swan song," Bryan said. "In a packed house and maybe playing with [Carlos] Alcaraz again."Nadal and Alcaraz are expected to reunite in doubles after their first go-around in the Summer Olympics at Roland Garros. The Spaniards won two matches before falling to Team USA's Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram."They were getting better and better in Paris," Bryan recalls. "I know Nadal was trying to teach Carlitos how to really play doubles. Maybe if they got past our guys in the quarters, they might have won the gold."Nadal's accomplishments in singles are legendary, but he's also had a doubles career that all but a few players would trade theirs for. He's won 11 titles on tour, including three Masters 1000s. Nadal also teamed with Marc Lopez to win Olympic doubles gold at the 2016 Rio Games.He also has a win over the greatest doubles team ever, the Bryan Brothers. That came in Nadal's last match against Bob and Mike in the 2016 Beijing semis.But the Bryans won all six of their prior meetings with Rafa."Luckily for us, he played with all Spanish guys," Bob says. "So there were some guys that we can pick on that weren't as confident at the net."Even so, Nadal's acumen on the doubles court made up for what he may have been conceding with his choice of partner."He's really active," Bryan says of Nadal the doubles player. "He's always moving up there which makes for, you know, a good doubles partner. He's close to the net, so it's hard to find the geometry a lot of the times. It's a guy that's gonna be a tough out for you every time."Given Nadal's propensity to play with his compatriots, it's fitting that he'll likely leave the game alongside a partner clad in Spain's red and yellow. And should they see red, white and blue across the next, Bryan and the Americans won't take the 38-year-old lightly."Rafa's the ultimate competitor, doesn't matter what event it is, singles, doubles, mixed," Bryan says. "He's gonna come at you, you know, he's gonna be doing those kangaroo hops at the net. He's gonna be sprinting back to the baseline in the warm-up."Always a tough out, never easy."

Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis star, is preparing for an emotional farewell from the sport at the Davis Cup in Malaga next week. The 38-year-old has battled injuries in recent years, but his presence on the court will be a major attraction for fans.Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, led Spain to victory in the Davis Cup in Madrid five years ago. However, he has admitted that his role in Malaga may be limited to doubles rather than singles."First off, we'll have to see how I feel in training and, if I really don't feel I have a chance to win the singles, I'll be the first to not want to play," Nadal said.French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz will be Spain's leading player, and his presence gives Nadal a real chance of retiring on a high note."Probably one of the most special tournaments that I'm going to play. Last tournament of Rafa, I'll be able to be next to him in the last moments on a tennis court for him," said Alcaraz.Nadal has won singles gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and triumphed in the doubles at Rio 2016 alongside Marc Lopez. However, injuries have seen his ranking slump to 155.The last of his 92 career titles came with his 14th French Open and 22nd major at Roland Garros in 2022. He hasn't played a competitive singles match since losing to Novak Djokovic at the Olympics in July.Many are hoping for Spain and Alcaraz to meet world number one Jannik Sinner's Italy, the defending champions, in the final.Record 32-time champions the United States have selected a strong team spearheaded by US Open finalist Taylor Fritz.Nadal clashed with Alcaraz in Saudi Arabia at the "Six Kings Slam" exhibition in October, losing in straight sets, but they will be fighting for the same goal in Andalucia.Tennis greats and stars from other sports are among those clamoring to watch Nadal's farewell, with career rivals Djokovic and Roger Federer among those expected to attend.Spain face the Netherlands on Tuesday in the last eight, with the winner taking on Germany or Canada in the semi-finals.

Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, is eagerly anticipating the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next week, where he will team up with the legendary Rafael Nadal for one final time. Nadal, who has announced his retirement from the sport, is set to hang up his racquet after the men's team event, and Alcaraz is determined to give him a fitting send-off."I think it's most important for Rafa, for his last tournament. I really want him to retire with a title," Alcaraz said after losing to Alexander Zverev in the Nitto ATP Finals. "It's going to be really, really emotional and a really special tournament for me."Alcaraz, who won the French Open and Wimbledon this year, has a special bond with Nadal. The duo teamed up at the Paris Olympics, falling just short of reaching the medal rounds. Alcaraz went on to win a silver medal in singles, finishing runner-up to Novak Djokovic.Djokovic, who withdrew from the season-ending championships, is a player that Alcaraz holds in high regard. "We've seen before that it doesn't matter that he doesn't play an official match for two, three, four months because he's going to come again and be able to win the tournament, be able to show a really high level of tennis," Alcaraz said."He's going to be fresh, for sure. A lot of time with his family, kids, wife. Have time to practice a lot, which is pretty good for a tennis player coming to a tournament with motivations."Alcaraz is currently ranked No. 3 in the world and has a 5-6 record against Zverev. If Casper Ruud wins one set against Andrey Rublev, Alcaraz will have to wait another year to make a run at the coveted ATP Finals trophy."This year, as I said, I've played great tournaments and really bad tournaments. My goal at the end to be there all the time. Every tournament that I'm going to play, at least reach the semifinal, final, give myself the chance to win the tournament," Alcaraz said."So I have to work. Thank God I'm young, I'm still super young, so I hope to have many years to get there."

Carlos Alcaraz's resilience and determination were on full display at the Nitto ATP Finals as he overcame illness and breathing difficulties to secure a crucial victory over Andrey Rublev. The Spaniard's performance was aided by a bright pink nasal dilator, which significantly improved his breathing and recovery between points.Alcaraz, the No. 3 seed, had been struggling with illness and breathing issues, raising concerns about his participation in the tournament. However, he defied the odds and fought through the discomfort, showcasing the mental fortitude that has become his trademark.The nasal dilator, a device that manually widens the nostrils, has gained popularity among athletes for its ability to increase airflow and improve performance. Alcaraz credited the strip with helping him recover better between points and breathe more efficiently.The Spaniard's victory over Rublev keeps him in contention for a spot in the semifinals. He will face Rolex Paris Masters champion Alexander Zverev on Friday in a must-win match. With all four members of the Newcombe group still mathematically in contention, Alcaraz's fate remains in his own hands.Alcaraz's use of the nasal dilator has sparked interest among tennis fans and athletes alike. The device has been used by other tennis players, including Nicolas Jarry and Maria Sharapova, who have reported improved air intake and performance.Alcaraz has confirmed that he will continue to wear the nasal dilator while in Turin. He believes it has significantly improved his breathing and recovery, giving him an edge on the court.The Spaniard's performance at the Nitto ATP Finals is a testament to his unwavering determination and ability to overcome adversity. With the help of the nasal dilator, Alcaraz has shown that he is not only a talented player but also a resilient competitor who is willing to go the extra mile to achieve his goals.

Carlos Alcaraz, the former world No. 1, overcame illness and a determined Andrey Rublev to secure his first victory at the Nitto ATP Finals on Wednesday. Despite battling chest tightness and breathing issues, Alcaraz displayed resilience and tactical prowess to defeat Rublev 6-3, 7-6 (8) in one hour and 35 minutes.Alcaraz, who had lost his opening match to Casper Ruud, admitted to being surprised by his performance. "I was really calm and focused on my game," he said. "I tried to forget about my illness and execute my tactics effectively."Rublev, the No. 8 seed, struggled to match Alcaraz's intensity and made several unforced errors. The Spaniard broke Rublev's serve twice in the first set and held his own serve comfortably.The second set was a closer affair, with both players holding serve until the tiebreaker. Alcaraz seized the initiative early on, but Rublev fought back to level the score at 4-4. However, Alcaraz's defense-to-offense transitions proved too strong for Rublev, and he eventually sealed the victory with a forehand winner.Alcaraz's victory keeps his hopes of reaching the semifinals alive. He will face No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev in his final round-robin match, with the winner advancing to the last four.Despite his recent struggles, Alcaraz remains a formidable opponent. His ability to adapt his game and overcome adversity is a testament to his talent and determination. With his illness seemingly behind him, Alcaraz will be confident of making a deep run in Turin.

The ATP Finals have witnessed a dramatic shift in betting odds after the completion of the first round-robin matches. Jannik Sinner has emerged as the odds-on favorite at -135, following his dominant victory over Alex de Minaur and Carlos Alcaraz's surprising loss to Casper Ruud.Sinner's impressive Shot Quality in all aspects of the game, coupled with his home-court advantage, makes him a formidable contender. He holds head-to-head advantages over both Taylor Fritz and Daniil Medvedev, increasing his chances of advancing from group play.Alexander Zverev, the two-time ATP Finals champion, is another player to watch. His untouchable serve and recent victory at the Rolex Paris Masters have propelled him to the top of the John Newcombe Group standings.While Alcaraz suffered a setback, he remains a threat. If he defeats Andrey Rublev and Zverev, he could still qualify for the semifinals. However, Zverev may not approach the match with the same urgency, as a win over Ruud would secure his spot.Fritz has also impressed, defeating Medvedev in straight sets. Despite being an underdog against Sinner, he has a chance to reach the semifinals by beating de Minaur. His fast-court prowess and previous victory over de Minaur on grass make him a potential threat.Overall, the ATP Finals remain wide open, with multiple players capable of claiming the title. Sinner and Zverev are the current favorites, but Alcaraz and Fritz should not be overlooked. The tournament promises exciting matches and unpredictable outcomes as the best players in the world battle for the prestigious trophy.

The Nitto ATP Finals in Turin have commenced, and the ATP's content team has paired up four duos for a lighthearted Q&A session.Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz praised each other's competitive spirit and mentality. Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud exchanged nicknames, with Zverev being dubbed "Tarzan" for his hair and Ruud being called "Golden Monkey."The players were asked which shot they would like to borrow from their colleague and which they would gladly give up. Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur had a playful exchange, with Fritz claiming to have no shot he would give up, while De Minaur insisted there were plenty.Ruud and Zverev both agreed on the backhand as the shot they would leave behind, while Medvedev and Rublev shared their mutual dislike for the slice.When it came to fashion, De Minaur acknowledged Taylor Fritz as the "runway model" of the group, and Sinner conceded defeat to Alcaraz.Medvedev and Zverev are the only former winners in this year's field, while Sinner and Ruud are former runners-up. De Minaur is making his event debut.

Casper Ruud, the Norwegian tennis star, made a triumphant return to the Nitto ATP Finals on Monday, securing his first victory in three appearances. Despite a recent slump, Ruud showcased his resilience and determination, overcoming world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling 6-1, 7-5 encounter.Ruud's victory marked a significant milestone in his career, as it was his first win over a Top 3 opponent on hard courts. The 2022 runner-up displayed exceptional composure and tactical brilliance throughout the match, neutralizing Alcaraz's aggressive style of play.The opening set was a dominant performance by Ruud. He broke Alcaraz's serve in the third game and never looked back, winning the set 6-1. Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm, committing numerous unforced errors and failing to convert break point opportunities.In the second set, Alcaraz showed signs of improvement, breaking Ruud's serve to take a 4-2 lead. However, Ruud remained unfazed and broke back immediately. With Alcaraz serving for the set at 5-3, Ruud produced a stunning backhand lob winner to earn two break points. He capitalized on the opportunity, forcing another unforced error from Alcaraz to level the set at 5-5.Ruud's momentum continued to build, and he broke Alcaraz's serve once again in the 11th game. With the match on his racquet, Ruud sealed the victory with an ace, securing his 50th win of the season.Ruud's victory sets the stage for an exciting John Newcombe Group round robin encounter on Wednesday. He will face either two-time champion Alexander Zverev or Andrey Rublev in his next match.