Carlos Alcaraz has expressed his regret over not being able to convince Rafael Nadal to continue playing beyond 2024. Nadal, 38, announced that the upcoming Davis Cup Finals in Malaga will be his final tournament, bringing an end to his legendary career. The Spaniard, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles and held the world number one ranking for 209 weeks, has struggled with injuries in recent years. His decision to retire was a deeply considered one, made in consultation with his family and team.
Alcaraz, who has been playing alongside Nadal during his farewell tour, reflected on the experience but shared his wish that he could have persuaded Nadal to keep playing. “I wish I could have,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging that the decision had already been made. He explained that if he had known there was a chance to convince Nadal, he would have tried, as he doesn’t want to see his idol retire. Alcaraz added that he had asked Nadal about the emotional toll of announcing his retirement, to which Nadal confirmed it had been a tough decision but one he had carefully thought through.
As Nadal prepares for his final Davis Cup appearance, he hopes to end his career with one last title. Spain, having qualified for the quarter-finals in Malaga, will look to Nadal for inspiration. Alcaraz, while focused on leading Spain, expressed his desire to win the tournament both for the team and for Nadal, ensuring that his retirement ends on a high note. The Davis Cup Finals, running from November 19 to 24, will be a highly emotional and highly anticipated event for tennis fans around the world.
