Rafael Nadal return date addressed as teasing Carlos Alcaraz ‘dream’ shared
One of Rafael Nadal’s outdated rivals has addressed his potential return to tennis. The 22-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t performed a match since January and underwent surgical procedure in June. Nadal beforehand admitted that 2024 would possible be his last yr on tour earlier than retiring and eyed this yr’s Davis Cup Finals as a possible comeback match. But Feliciano Lopez isn’t certain whether or not Nadal will likely be again in time for the crew match with Carlos Alcaraz primed to take over because the flagship of Spanish tennis.
Nadal has been sidelined for almost all of the yr after selecting up a left psoas damage throughout his second-round defeat on the Australian Open. The Spaniard continued to try to mount a comeback in the course of the clay season however he finally conceded and introduced that his therapy had been unsuccessful, as an alternative concentrating on 2024 as his retirement season.
During the emotional press convention at his Rafa Nadal Academy in May, the 37-year-old additionally stated that he might doubtlessly use this yr’s Davis Cup Finals as his comeback match if Spain reached that stage. But he went on to have arthroscopic surgical procedure in June and is but to supply any new updates on his comeback plans.
Feliciano Lopez has now addressed the prospect of Nadal making it to the Davis Cup Finals in November. The retired Spanish professional is the brand new match director of the group occasion and was requested about his countryman’s hopes of taking part in. “I think you should be asking this question to David Ferrer, to our captain, because it would be a dream for him to have Rafa and Carlos playing together for Spain,” Lopez stated.
“Well, I think Rafa is now going through a rehab process. I think he’s doing well. I was talking to him just recently. He told me everything is going well. But I don’t really know if he’s planning to play the Davis Cup.”
While Lopez was unsure on Nadal’s participation, he admitted it could be particular to see Nadal and Alcaraz taking part in side-by-side. And the previous world No 12 nonetheless needed to see Alcaraz competing within the crew occasion regardless.
He added: “If this is going to happen, I’ll be super happy because that will be a dream for David as a captain and for us as a nation to see Carlos and Rafa together playing for Spain. It would be amazing.
“I think it’s too early to say, honestly. I just wish Rafa a speedy recovery. I hope Carlos also will be able to play in Valencia. The most important thing is that Spain will qualify for the Final 8 in Malaga. Having said that, I think David Ferrer would be a good guy to respond to your question.”
Jose Maria Arrabal – the final secretary of sport for the area of Andalusia – additionally weighed in and shared a giant objective for Alcaraz, claiming the two-time Grand Slam champion was following Nadal in changing into a flagship. “From my end, on top of comments from Feli and the rest of the Spanish armada represent the best of our country. We’re here to tell the world that these guys deserve the credit,” he stated.
“Rafa is a flagship. Carlos is becoming that flagship, too. They represent the best values of our country and society in the world. They’re competitive, they’re unselfish, they are generous with the community. They respect their adversaries on the court and off the court. Honestly speaking, we want to showcase to the world, that’s what this country wants to be.
“Apart from all the considerations, honestly speaking, I think those guys fully deserve the credit and really represent most of the people in our country. That’s what I would love to say. That’s why I appreciate your question so much.”