Rafael Nadal has been named to Spain’s squad for the Davis Cup Final Eight scheduled for November. The 38-year-old former world number one joins a strong lineup that includes world number three Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Marcel Granollers.
Nadal has not competed since the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he faced a tough defeat against Novak Djokovic in singles and lost in the quarter-finals of doubles while partnering with Alcaraz. His absence from the sport continued as he withdrew from the US Open in August, citing fitness concerns, and also pulled out of last weekend’s Laver Cup.
Spain, the six-time champions and last victorious in 2019, will face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, starting on November 19. Nadal had previously expressed his decision to miss the US Open, stating he wouldn’t be able to “give my 100% at this time.” He later explained his withdrawal from the Laver Cup by saying he believed other players could better contribute to the team’s success.
In addition to these recent withdrawals, Nadal missed the Australian Open in January due to injury and opted out of Wimbledon to focus on the Olympics. Although he hinted at retirement later this year, he stated before the French Open that he was not “100%” certain that it would be his last appearance at Roland Garros.
The Davis Cup quarter-finals will take place from November 19 to 21, with the semi-finals following on consecutive days and the final scheduled for Sunday, November 24. Defending champions Italy, led by reigning world number one Jannik Sinner, aim to become the first team to retain the title since 2013.
