Rafael Nadal fitness update as Spain yearn for dream Davis Cup partnership with Carlos Alcaraz

Tennis News

Shahida Jacobs
September 2, 2023

Rafael Nadal’s rehabilitation is “going well” and Davis Cup Tournament Director Feliciano Lopez as well as Spain’s captain David Ferrer are hopeful he will play in the tournament later this year.

Tennis great Nadal has not played competitively since January as he suffered a serious hip injury during the Australian Open and eventually underwent surgery at the beginning of June.

Doctors later revealed that the “normal recovery process is estimated at five months” and if all does go according to plan then he could return at the beginning of November, just in time for the Davis Cup Finals that will run from November 20-26 in Malaga, Spain.

Most Spaniards would love to see one of their favourite sons make his comeback on home soil, especially with talk that he could form a dream team with reigning world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz.

Lopez was asked about the possibility of Nadal featuring at the tournament and replied: “I think this question is for David Ferrer, our captain because for him it would be a dream to have Rafa and Carlos playing together with Spain.

“Rafa is now going through a rehabilitation process. I think he is doing well. I was talking to him recently. He told me that everything is going well. But I don’t really know if he plans to play Davis Cup.”

He added: “If it’s going to happen, I’ll be super happy because it 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 great.

“I think it’s too early to say, honestly. I just wish Rafa a speedy recovery. I hope Carlos can also play in Valencia. The most important thing is that Spain qualifies for the Final 8 in Malaga.”

Ferrer himself first wants Spain to come through the group phase against Serbia, the Czech Republic and South Korea in a fortnight before he focuses on the squad for the end of year Finals.

In an interview with Marca he said: “If we qualify hopefully have the option to see how Rafa is.”

“I am talking with him. He has taken a vacation… I can’t say much more, but hopefully he can be with us if we qualify for November.”

Ferrer, though, would love to have a dream pairing of Nadal and Alcaraz.

When asked if it would be a dream to have both Nadal and Alcaraz in his team, he replied: “Yes, without a doubt. But not only as captain but also as a fan and also for the tournament.

“That this competition had these two world-class players. Rafa is the best in the history of our country and one of the best ever. And Carlos is on his way to being one of them. I would love to have and live the opportunity to have both of them.”

READ MORE: When will Rafael Nadal make a comeback? Here is what we know