MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal is ready to skip singles matches at the Davis Cup final in Malaga if he feels he is not good enough to help Spain succeed in its farewell tournament .

Nadal retires after the Davis Cup, the 22-time Grand Slam champion worn down by too many injuries at the end of his 20 years on tour.

“I will try to prepare as best as possible to be able to be available to play, but I want to help in any way possible, by playing or not playing,” Nadal, 38, said from Malaga in an interview on Saturday. published. by the Spanish Tennis Federation.

“First we have to see how I feel in training. If I really don’t see myself ready to have a chance to win in singles, I will be the first to not want to play.

Nadal’s singles record in 2024 is just 12-7. His last official competition came at the Paris Olympics in August, a second-round loss to longtime rival – and eventual gold medalist – Novak Djokovic. Nadal reached the doubles quarterfinals with Carlos Alcaraz. Last month, he played two exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia.

“I have already told (Spanish captain David Ferrer) several times not to make any decisions based on the fact that this is my last week as a professional tennis player,” Nadal said. “The team comes first, and he shouldn’t be affected at all by any hype that might arise because of me. He has to do what’s best for the team and that’s what I want.

Spain opens Tuesday against the Netherlands, and if it wins, it will advance to the semifinals on Friday against Canada or Germany.

“My first big joy as a professional tennis player was at the Davis Cup in 2004,” Nadal said.

He helped Spain win the Davis Cup in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019.

“I am beyond grateful for everything that has happened to me over all these years. I would obviously like the team to succeed and for me to have the chance to win another Davis Cup, whether playing or cheering from the stands. I would like to take advantage of this week and close a very beautiful and very long cycle of my life… by accepting that everything has a beginning and an end.

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