Former World No.3 David Ferrer recently disclosed that Rafael Nadal could return to tennis before the year ends. He said Nadal is training well, and his tennis is at the same level as before his hiatus. He also mentioned that the 37-year-old is targeting a return to the game with the Davis Cup.
Ferrer captains Spain in the Davis Cup and will look to guide his team to the Final 8, scheduled for November. The group stage will get underway after the US Open. If Spain qualifies for the Final 8, they may pop a surprise by including Nadal in the squad.
Rafael Nadal targeting early comeback, says David Ferrer
Nadal is reportedly looking to return to the tour in 2024, which is speculated to be his farewell year. However, his good friend and fellow Spaniard Ferrer said that Nadal might be back on the court earlier than expected. He said that Nadal expressed his wish to return for the Davis Cup finals in November. The team event’s Final 8 will be held in Malaga, Spain, which makes it the perfect setting for the 22-time Grand Slam winner to return.
In an interview with CLAY, Ferrer said that Rafael Nadal is on track with his comeback plans and staying injury-free. He said that the star player will play only the important events after his comeback to give his body adequate rest. Ferrer then revealed that Nadal himself wants to play in the Davis Cup final, provided Spain qualifies. The captain, however, said that his friend’s condition takes priority over the tournament. He will not be rushed into the squad for November.
“Yes, but he wants to play the Davis Cup final this year. First we have to qualify, of course, but for me it would be incredible. What I want to know is how he is, because he is a friend of mine. And then comes the Davis Cup. He was the one who once told me ‘my goal is to have a goal, to reach the Davis Cup at the end of the year if you qualify’. And he is in that process. And be careful, my goal is not to convince him, he is the one who told me that.”
Ferrer admitted he would want Nadal to return by November, but only after giving himself time to recuperate fully.
“Hopefully, I would like it to be at the end of the year, because I want the best for Rafa on a personal level. And if he comes it’s because he’s well, because he’s competitive.”
Nadal has been out of action since the 2023 Australian Open, spending his time in recovery. A recent video showed the former World No.1 training under the watchful eyes of his uncle Toni Nadal.
Nadal training well as Spain looks set to sail through Davis Cup group stage
Nadal played through injury in the 2023 Australian Open, losing in the second round to Mackenzie McDonald. He has not taken to court after that loss, using this time off to rehabilitate. The Spaniard has previously made roaring comebacks from injuries and is working on adding another return to that long list.
In a video posted by the Rafael Nadal Academy, Mallorca, the legendary player can be seen running on the treadmill as uncle Toni watches on. Nadal is passionately working hard on a return and the Davis Cup Final 8 may be a realistic target.
Spain will have to qualify first if Nadal wants to represent his country in November. The Iberian nation is #2 in the Davis Cup rankings. Grouped with Czechia, Serbia, and South Korea, they will play their group stage games on home soil in Valencia from September 12. Spain should go through without any major hiccups. The Final 8 tournament will begin on November 21 in Malaga. Spain will want their best player ever to mark a grand return in front of the home crowd.
