Top five players to watch in Davis Cup Finals 2024 knockout stages

Rafael Nadal will hang his boots post the Davis Cup Finals 2024 knockouts.

Following a thrilling conclusion to the ATP Finals, the stage is set for the Davis Cup Finals 2024 knockout rounds, promising high-octane clashes between some of tennis’s biggest stars. Adding to the excitement, this edition marks the final chapter of Rafael Nadal’s illustrious career, making it a truly unforgettable event for tennis fans worldwide.

Eight teams will compete in the quarterfinals beginning on November 19 at the Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga, Spain. Defending champions, Italy, will be led by current world number one ranked star Jannik Sinner, who has only recently won the ATP Finals beating Taylor Fritz comfortably in the finale.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top five players to watch in Davis Cup Finals 2024 knockout stages.

Top five players to watch in Davis Cup Finals 2024 knockout stages

5. Alexei Popyrin

Alexei Popyrin experienced the pinnacle of his sporting career by winning his maiden ATP 1000 tournament at the Canadian Open, defeating Andrey Rublev in a thrilling final. Popyrin hailed the victory as one of the greatest achievements of his tennis journey, cementing his place among the sport’s rising stars.

Popyrin achieved another phenomenal feat at the 2024 US Open when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the third round, ending the Serbian’s hopes of a 25th Grand Slam title. He will be joined by Jordan Thompson and Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Davis Cup Finals 2024 knockout stages as the main singles players for the Australian side.

4. Taylor Fritz

The in-form Taylor Fritz will return from the ATP Finals in Italy to compete for the title at the Davis Cup Finals 2024 alongside the likes of Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton. Fritz is enjoying a purple patch currently having finished as the runner-up at both US Open and ATP Finals. On both counts he was beaten by Jannik Sinner, but team America would look to ride on Fritz’s excellent form if they were to go all the way.

Apart from singles, Fritz and Paul are expected to pair up and continue from where they had left; having only recently been crowned as the men’s doubles Olympic Gold medalists at Paris.

Also Read: Davis Cup Finals 2024 Predictions: Breakdown of all four quarter-final matches

3. Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner, the most consistent men’s singles player in the 2024 calendar year, will represent Italy at the Davis Cup Finals 2024 knockouts after missing the group stage as Italy look to defend its crown. The Italian has been in the form of his life having won the Cincinnati, US Open, Six Kings Slam and the ATP Masters, putting the corundum of conspiracy surrounding the failed drug test during the Madrid Open to bed.

While Sinner might have to do the major part of heavy lifting as was the case last year, he will be supported by teammates Lorenzo Musetti and Flavio Cobolli.

Also Read: How many titles has Jannik Sinner won this year?

2. Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz will enter the Davis Cup with a point to prove as over the last few months, Sinner has managed to overshadow the Spaniard in every tournament. After a shocking second round exit at the US Open, Alcaraz bounced back at the China Open beating Sinner in the final. But disappointments followed for the Spaniard at the Shanghai and Paris Masters.

At the Six Kings Slam, it was the Italian who avenged his loss to Alcaraz earlier in October. At the ATP Finals, Alcaraz seemed to struggle off-the-field due to injury, eventually being knocked out from the group stages owing to defeats against both Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud in the group stages.

At the Davis Cup, Alcaraz is set to compete in both singles and doubles, wherein he will pair up with Rafael Nadal for one final time.

1. Rafael Nadal

A much-awaited comeback, which also happens to be the last chance for tennis fans to witness the ‘King of Clay’, Rafael Nadal grace the courts as he will represent Spain at the Davis Cup knockouts. Nadal hasn’t played professional tennis since the Paris Olympics wherein he went down to Novak Djokovic in the second round of men’s singles.

It was in the men’s doubles arena, where the Spaniard showed glimpses of his past brilliance, outplaying the young sensation Alcaraz in the early games and appearing to be the better player on court. The Master and his disciple will once again team up, as Nadal hopes to end what has been a legendary career on a high note.

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