{"id":1826,"date":"2024-11-18T02:24:07","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T02:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=1826"},"modified":"2024-11-18T02:24:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T02:24:07","slug":"rafael-nadal-explains-why-he-chose-davis-cup-as-his-retirement-tournament-%f0%9f%a5%b9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=1826","title":{"rendered":"Rafael Nadal explains why he chose Davis Cup as his retirement tournament \ud83e\udd79"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rafael Nadal played the Davis Cup for the first time in his professional career in 2004, and he will conclude his career in this event.<\/p>\n

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Rafael Nadal (via X)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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22-time Grand Slam champion\u00a0Rafael Nadal<\/strong>\u00a0has explained why he chose the Davis Cup as the final event of his tennis career. The Spaniard is set to retire next week in Malaga.<\/p>\n

In interviews with local media, Nadal shared that his decision was influenced by history and nostalgia. He reflected on playing the Davis Cup for the first time in 2004 and his many successes in the tournament since then.<\/p>\n

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Speculation about Nadal\u2019s retirement began after his first-round loss at Roland Garros in June. Many believed he would retire at the Paris Olympics, held at Roland Garros, where he has won 14 Grand Slam titles.<\/p>\n

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I think it\u2019s one of my first great joys. And it\u2019s maybe my first great joy as a professional tennis player. I think it was the Davis Cup in 2004, and that\u2019s how it happened. The opportunity was given to me and, to be honest with David (Ferrer, the captain), he told me he was counting on me. I told him I would prepare as best I could and then we\u2019ll see. No, I think I can more or less prepare well, that\u2019s why I\u2019m here. And then you have to take it day by day. I haven\u2019t played competitively for a long time and the reality is that I\u2019m looking forward to it, in every way possible.<\/em><\/p>\n

Rafael Nadal said in an interview to\u00a0RFETenis<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n