Rafael Nadal included in Spain's squad for Davis Cup 2024 finals despite injury woes

Rafael Nadal had earlier this month withdrawn from competing in the Davis Cup 2024 Finals group stages.

Rafael Nadal is among the names announced in Spain’s Davis Cup 2024 squad for the knockout stages in Malaga. Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz could partner up for the first time since reaching the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics, where despite a spirited effort, the Spaniards were ousted by the American duo of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in Paris.

Nadal, a former World No. #1, will also be joined by Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreño Busta and Marcel Granollers as they complete the roster for Spain.

The 38-year-old did not turn up for the Group Stage finals of the Davis Cup 2024 earlier this month, subsequently pulling out of the Laver Cup. Pedro Martinez replaced Nadal in the Davis Cup squad in September, while Grigor Dimitrov was Nadal’s stand-in at the Laver Cup 2024.

On withdrawing from the Laver Cup, Nadal clarified on his decision not to play in Berlin. “This is a team competition, and at this moment, there are other players capable of delivering the win.”

Team Europe lifted the Laver Cup trophy over the weekend after two years of watching Team World win in the last two editions. It was a fitting farewell for Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg, who, along with John McEnroe, will be replaced by Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi for the 2025 edition in San Francisco.

Alcaraz — a Laver Cup rookie, notched up eight points on debut to help paint the Uber Arena blue. It is the most earned by a player in a single edition. The contest went down to the wire, to the final singles match between Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz.

It was a do-or-die affair, as both sides needed the win to prevail. The Spaniard stole four breakpoints, two in each set, to defeat Fritz in straight sets and give Team Europe victory at 13-11.

Also Read: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as Team Europe captains? Laver Cup founder Tony Godsick was tennis legends to return

Spain topped Group B in the Davis Cup group stage in September and will take on Netherlands in the quarterfinals. Defending champions, Italy, topped Group A and will be looking to be the first two-time champions since Czechia (2012, 2013). The Jannik Sinner-led Italian squad will take on Argentina in their quarter-final face-off.

The quarterfinals will take place from November 19-21. The semifinals will follow on 22-23 November, with the final on November 24. Spain has won the Davis Cup on six occasions, while Italy joined the winner’s circle last year.

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