NYes, Rafael Nadal cannot control everything, with or without a racket in his hand. He had demanded that we concentrate above all on a 7e possible Davis Cup victory for his country, Spain. And not on the retirement of the greatest champion in the history of tennis, alongside Roger Federer (left for two years already) and Novak Djokovic (in full search for motivation). He really wanted the emotions linked to his goodbyes to pass afterwards.
But this Tuesday, in a Malaga Sports Palace as full as an egg (and even beyond, since the capacity was extended, at the last minute, from 9000 to 9200 places), it was just mission impossible.
Federer’s very moving message
In the morning, it was Roger Federer who sent a very gripping message: “You forced me to reinvent my game, to the point of changing the size of my racket frame in the hope of gaining an advantage” , joked the Swiss. “I’m not superstitious, but you have gone very far. All these rituals… Secretly, I think I loved it all. Because it was so unique… it was so you. I want you to know that your old friend is still behind you and will be behind you with the same enthusiasm for everything you do after tennis,” concluded the Swiss, signing “Your fan, Roger”.
In the afternoon, the tension rose a notch, at 4:10 p.m., with the officialization of the selection of the legend, returning to the Davis Cup after 5 years of absence (the victory against Canada in 2019) , and above all, after four months without competition, since his last appearance at the Paris Olympics.
Rafa is back !
Eyes reddened by the Spanish national anthem
What can we say, then, of the suspended moment during the entry, into a burning arena as he has always adored, of the bull of Manacor? 38 years old, a hip operation, the last two very difficult seasons (only 13 victories in a total of 23 matches), but still this grinta, so much imitated, but never equaled.
What can we say, too, about the legend’s reddened eyes during a national anthem where he rehashed all the great episodes of his 23-year career? Uncontrollable emotions.
1250 rackets used, 0 broken…
But on his way to the match bench, “Rafa” became Nadal again. The gaze focused on the present moment and not on the after. Just by putting down his bag, customized for this last week in competition, the Majorcan recalled the full weight of his history. It read: 22 Grand Slam titles including 14 Roland-Garros, 36 in Masters 1000, 23 in ATP 500, 10 in ATP 250, once Olympic gold in singles and, for the record, but who says long on the respect that surrounded this entire fabulous career, 1250 rackets used, 0 broken!
David Ferrer had therefore decided (he also had the choice of fielding, in No. 2 behind Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut who won the Antwerp tournament last month). Rafael Nadal still had 29 victories in 30 singles played in the Davis Cup! But Ferrer took a risk by immediately fielding a 38-year-old player who hadn’t played a competitive match since the Olympics, almost four months ago. “It’s clear that at this age, we less easily erase weeks without competition, but I have trained hard over the last month and a half, and I am progressing every day,” confided the man who now has a ranking of 154e world player.
The will in the face of a lack of competition…
But back in competition, what level could “old Rafa” still reach against Botic Van de Zandschulp (80e at ATP, ex-22e) ? The Dutchman created a huge surprise during the last US Open by dismissing… Carlos Alcaraz, from the 2e tour.
After 40 minutes of head to head (3-3), the match swung clearly in favor of the orange player who scored five games in a row to lead 6-3, 2-0. The “vamos” still came out of the Spaniard’s mouth, but nothing really squirted from his racket. Bad timing, game too short, responsiveness too slow: he paid dearly for his lack of rhythm. But how could it be otherwise, ultimately? After a last stand (from 4-1 to 4-3), Nadal bowed to a double 6-4, shaking his head as if to say that he had tried everything, with what tennis he had left. high level in him. Was this his very last competitive appearance? While Carlos Alcaraz brought Spain back into the game, getting the better of Tallon Griekspoor who had nevertheless led 2-4 (7-6, 6-3, final score), and even before the decisive double of this quarter, Rafael Nadal revealed his truths to the press. “Given my level, I wouldn’t have chosen myself… I feel like this was my last singles match among the pros. If we manage to qualify for the semi-finals on Friday (Editor’s note: against Canada or Germany), the best would probably be to select Roberto Bautista in my place. But it’s not me who makes the decisions…”
Nadal, frank and fair, as we have heard over the last twenty years.
