Rafael Nadal has been named in Spain’s squad for the Davis Cup Final Eight, scheduled for November. The 38-year-old former world number one joins world number three Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Marcel Granollers in the lineup.
Nadal’s last appearance on the court was during the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he faced Novak Djokovic in singles and lost in the quarter-finals of doubles after teaming up with Alcaraz. He withdrew from the US Open in August, citing fitness concerns, and also missed the recent Laver Cup.
Spain, a six-time Davis Cup champion with their most recent victory in 2019, will take on the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, beginning on 19 November. Nadal stated that he chose to miss the US Open as he would not “be able to give my 100% at this time.” He withdrew from the Laver Cup in early September, expressing his belief that “other players can help the team deliver the win.”
In addition to the US Open, Nadal also missed the Australian Open in January due to injury and opted not to compete at Wimbledon to prioritize the Olympics. Although he has hinted at retirement later this year, he mentioned before the French Open that he was not “100%” certain that would be his last appearance at Roland Garros.
The Davis Cup quarter-finals will take place from 19 to 21 November, followed by the semi-finals on consecutive days and the final on Sunday, 24 November. Defending champions Italy, led by reigning world number one Jannik Sinner, aim to become the first team to retain the title since 2013.
