The season-ending Davis Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands promises to be an emotional affair for the tennis fraternity and sports fans alike, as legendary Spanish star Rafael Nadal bids farewell to the sport on his home soil.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist has been a cornerstone of tennis alongside fellow ‘Big Three’ legends, Swiss maestro Roger Federer and Serbian ace Novak Djokovic, for the past two decades. A final match at home is set to be a fitting send-off for Nadal, who has recently been slowed by injuries. The 38-year-old will team up with young sensation Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers as they aim to help Spain secure their first Davis Cup title since 2019, according to Olympics.com.
Alcaraz and Granollers are currently ranked world number three in men’s singles and doubles, respectively, while Nadal has previously won the Davis Cup four times with Spain. The Davis Cup, often referred to as the “World Cup of Tennis,” is the sport’s premier team competition, featuring national teams. The final stage of the tournament begins with the Final 8 or quarterfinals.
Spain will face the Netherlands, which boasts players like Wesley Koolhof and Tallon Griekspoor, in the Final 8 on Tuesday. A victory would see them advance to a semifinal clash against either Germany or Canada on Friday. The final is scheduled for Sunday, with other contenders in the bracket including world number one Jannik Sinner of Italy, defending champions USA, Australia, and Argentina.
All matches of the Davis Cup 2024 Finals will be held at Malaga’s Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena.