one last cut for Rafael Nadal before leaving the track

Seville, December 2004. Spain discovers a strange matador ready to leave his life on the Andalusian clay. Garnet tank top enhancing pumped-up biceps, look as black as his jet-black locks, Rafael Nadal (51^e world) is launched into the arena to challenge – racket in hand – the world number 2 in the Davis Cup final. The rookie defeats the American Andy Roddick and offers a crucial point to his country, which two days later lifts the silver bowl. At 18 years and 187 days, the left-hander became the youngest winner in the history of the team tennis competition and earned a nickname that will never come off his bandana: the “bull of Manacor”.

Twenty years later, the Spanish legend with 22 Grand Slam titles is enjoying one last rodeo at home before bidding farewell to the professional circuit. Same competition – certainly, in a version far removed from its historical format – and same region as a setting. From Tuesday November 19 (and until Sunday 24), Malaga hosts the final phase of the Davis Cup (quarters, semi-finals, final) and the eight qualified teams. That of Spain, led by its captain David Ferrer (ex-3^e world), faces the Netherlands on Tuesday in the quarter-finals. “It’s coming full circle, as one of my first great joys as a professional player was the Seville final in 2004”justified Nadal in the video announcing his end of career, broadcast on October 10 on social networks.

One unknown remains: the state of form of the 38-year-old player, whose body is asking for mercy after twenty-three years on the professional circuit. “If I could, I would continue to play tennis, but I don't have the opportunity to play at a level that really satisfies me on a personal level. I wanted to give myself the opportunity to try again, it didn't go as well as I would have liked, I couldn't play without feeling limited. I did everything I could and I accept it without problem,” developed, on Monday, the former world number 1, the object of all attention during the Spanish press conference.

“Ideal endings are in American films”

This season, he has only played 19 matches, his penultimate official tournament dating back to the Olympic Games at the end of July. Before participating in the Davis Cup, the Mallorcan made a short detour to Saudi Arabia in mid-October to take part in a lucrative exhibition alongside Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.

In Malaga, the greatest tennis player in the history of his country is ready to sacrifice himself for his team and not play singles, or even stay on the sidelines, if he does not feel competitive. “There is no ideal ending. Ideal endings usually occur in American films. (…) What I want is for the team to be competitive and to be able to win the Davis Cup. My best goodbye would be the joy of winning with everyone. But I don't know if I will play a match or not. I haven't played much lately.” concedes Nadal, who tried to “working as hard as possible for a month and a half”.

The dizziness of imminent retirement? “I don't pay attention to it, he assures. I know it will be a big change in my life, but I will think about it later. I'm here with the team and that's what makes me happy. (…) If I'm on court, I hope I can control my emotions. I'm not here to retire, I'm here to help the team. The emotions will come at the end, in the meantime you have to concentrate on what you have to do. »

Despite the fatigue of a season which saw him win Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, Carlos Alcaraz has the firm intention of going out of his way to give his glorious elder the end he deserves and his fourth bowl of silver. “We want to win the title for Spain”recently bereaved by deadly floods, “and also for Rafa”ensured the world number 3 in the sports daily Mark.

Whether the icon plays or not, the elite of world tennis – and even beyond – will be present at the edge of the hard courts of the Palacio de Deportes de Malaga to pay tribute to him. “All the tennis players who played during the same period want to be there. And athletes from other sports, from Spain and around the world, also want to be there”said Feliciano Lopez (ex-12^e world), director of the Davis Cup. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have made it known that they do not want to miss the event, and it is rumored that Roger Federer will also be in the souvenir photo.