Rafael Nadal praised by Roger Federer, before the last week of his Davis Cup career

TENNIS – Last lap and then leaves. From this Tuesday, November 19, the living tennis legend, Rafael Nadal, begins what will be his last week of professional competition, at home in Spain. A final tournament that feels like a farewell that the native of Manacor is not yet sure of playing with the Spanish team. Suspense requires.

In Malaga, for the final phase of the Davis Cup from November 19 to 24, “ Rafa » and his captain still leave doubt about his participation in Spain's first match. And if the Spanish media Mark affirms that Nadal will indeed be lined up for the opening singles against the Netherlands, this Tuesday at 5 p.m., we will have to wait an hour before the clash to be sure.

It is therefore difficult to know in advance whether he will be there to defend the colors of his country. Present or not, Rafael Nadal has already received the support and strong tribute from the other living legend of modern tennis, Roger Federer.

“It was so you”

The latter shared a very long tweet of tribute, a few hours before this match which could already be the last of his great rival. “You made me work harder than I ever imagined (…) You forced me to reinvent my game (…) You made me appreciate tennis even more (… ) What an incredible career you have had”notably released the former Swiss player. Rafael Nadal has “ made the entire tennis world proud”he believes.

Roger Federer makes no mistake, because this week will inevitably conclude a loop for Rafael Nadal. He who had obtained his first victory in the Davis Cup twenty years earlier, in Spain. Making him the youngest winner of the competition.

Following his message, the king of grass did not forget some of his most difficult moments on court, often synonymous with Rafael Nadal. “ You beat me, much more than I managed to beat you. You challenged me like no one else could. On clay, I felt like I was entering your garden “, he wrote, slipping that he was even trying to change the size of his racket head, ” hoping to gain an advantage ».

Marked like every spectator by his little rituals on the court, the former world number 1 wanted to mention them in his message. “ Your whole process. All these rituals. Assembling your water bottles like little soldiers in training, doing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All this with the greatest intensity. Secretly, I kind of liked it all. Because it was so unique, it was so you. »

« Not enough ego » for a farewell tour

This last lap will inevitably be closely scrutinized in the Andalusian city which hosts the final phase of the Davis Cup. Because a good part of the elite of world tennis traveled to Malaga to hope to see him. But above all to pay him a last tribute.

“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”declared Feliciano Lopez, the boss of the Davis Cup, at the beginning of the month. And if a special tribute must take place during the competition, like the one that had been reserved a few months earlier for the king of clay for his 14 titles at Roland-Garros, “ Rafa » doesn't seem to want any of that.

“I am no longer competitive enough and I no longer take the daily pleasure necessary to become competitive again at the highest level. I could last another year, but for what? To do a farewell tour tournament by tournament? I don't have this ego”Rafael Nadal recently told AFP. The Davis Cup will therefore be the end point of his career. In the event of a victory this Tuesday against the Dutch, the Spain of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz could face Canada in the semi-final, to extend the dream a little further. And why not grab one last title, at home no less.

Also see on HuffPost :