Rafael Nadal believes he is emotionally prepared to conclude his career at next month’s Davis Cup Finals, but he would only compete in the singles if he is “ready to win”.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion revealed last week that he will retire from tennis after representing Spain in Malaga, where the Davis Cup will be staged from November 19 to 24.
Nadal, 38, is presently competing in the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia and will meet his longtime adversary Novak Djokovic for the final time today.
“Emotionally, I’m sure I’ll be ready. Physically and in terms of tennis level, there remains a month left to prepare,” Nadal said after losing to Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday.
“I will try to be in good shape to help the team to win. If I don’t feel ready for the singles, I’ll be the first one to say.
“Be 100 per cent sure, I will not be on court if I don’t feel ready to win my match.”
After losing his semi-final 6-3 6-3 to compatriot Alcaraz, whom he partnered in doubles at the Olympics and could do so again at the Davis Cup, Nadal will meet Djokovic in the third-place match.
Serb Djokovic, the only man to have won more Slams than Nadal with 24, was beaten 6-2 6-7 (0-7) 6-4 by world number one Jannik Sinner, who will face Alcaraz for the $6m (£4.5m) prize money.
“To have Novak in front [of me], it’s like a nostalgic thing,” said Nadal, who has won 29 of his 60 meetings with Djokovic.
“We’ve played each other a lot, so it’ll be fun to play each other again one more time in this match. Hopefully we can create a good show and good level of entertainment.”
