Where Will Nadal Have His Farewell? 

Nadal pulls out of the 2024 Laver Cup

Rafael Nadal was set to play the 2024 Laver Cup in what could have been a goodbye to the tennis world. However, the 38-year-old Spaniard released a statement pulling out of the tournament: 

“I’m really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week. This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what’s best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win. I have so many great, emotional memories from playing Laver Cup and I was really looking forward to being with my teammates and with Bjorn in his final year as Captain. I wish Team Europe the very best of luck and will be cheering them on from afar.” 

The Spaniard commented further by explaining that physically he felt fine but that he is not best placed currently to compete well for Team Europe; compared to some other players. He has been replaced by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov who has had an impressive 2024 so far. 

The last time Nadal played Laver Cup was in 2022 where he played historic doubles with Roger Federer in what was the Swiss Maestro’s farewell match. Tears were shed in the aftermath as an emotional tribute was played for Roger. The thinking was Nadal may have also had a similar goodbye at this year’s Laver Cup; potentially teaming up with Alcaraz in a “passing of the torch” doubles pairing. There was also an appetite for “Nadalcaraz” after the entertaining run they had at the Paris Olympics in the doubles. However, Nadal’s farewell speculation continues; let’s dive into the possibilities. 

Davis Cup  

Spain have qualified for the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga; the team event runs 19^th-24^th November 2024. Nadal has an affinity with the Davis Cup; spearheading Spain to victory 5 times over the span of his career. This could be a fitting place to say farewell given the Davis Cup Finals are being held in his home country; a November date also gives him time to get match fit and prepared to play.

The only caveat is that the event will be played on indoor hard courts; a surface which has historically been Nadal’s worst. He has only won one indoor tournament in his career and that was the Brasil Open back in 2013. Even if Rafa is physically and mentally at his best; we may not see his trade mark level. 

6 Kings Slam 

Rafa has signed up for an exhibition in Saudi Arabia with five other stars; the event is being coined as the “6 Kings Slam” and is set to run from October 16^th to October 19^th. Other top players Novak Djokovic, Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev have also signed up to play. Despite it not being an ATP or ITF event, this could be a suitable way for him to sign off an illustrious career.

Nadal became an Ambassador for Saudi Tennis this year and will help develop an academy in Saudi Arabia; so, it seems likely he will play this event. Saudi Arabia’s Turki Al-AlShaikh is the architect of this event as part of Riyadh Season; he has invested heavily in the Boxing scene and has seemingly turned his attention to tennis as well. 

2025 Farewell? 

This seems the least likely option but if Nadal does not participate in the Davis Cup or 6 Kings Slam Exhibition; we could see him retire officially next year. There have been some hints/rumours that he could play on into 2025; not only from the rumour mill but from Nadal himself. Rafa initially stated an intention for 2024 to be his last year on tour but has since talked about the potential of playing past 2024. Nadal’s son is young and the Spaniard mentioned that it would be nice to play on so his son could remember him playing on tour; however, you imagine that he would want his son to remember a version of his father that was close to his best.

If he does retire next year, the obvious choice would be Roland Garros; he was drawn against Alexander Zverev this year in Round 1 in an incredibly difficult and unfortunate draw. The German made the Final of the French Open. The hope would be a most likely again unseeded Nadal would have an easier draw this time round; and would make a nostalgic run to cap off an incredible career. 

Was the 2024 Olympics His Farwell? 

Let’s hope this is not the case but given how Nadal has fared physically in the last couple of years it is a possibility. It was thought the Olympics in Paris at Roland Garros could be the perfect place for him to wave goodbye; a place where he has been so dominant over his career. He has notched up 14 Grand Slam titles in the French capital and Phillipe Chartier is his home court; he has never lost a French Open final at Roland Garros. The Olympics did not go to plan however as he drew Novak Djokovic in Round Two; the 24-time Grand Slam champion comprehensively beat his great rival Nadal 6-4, 6-1. Given Rafa has dominated this rivalry on clay and especially at Roland Garros; this match does not seem the best choice to end his illustrious career.  

My thoughts are that Nadal will most likely attempt to say farewell this year; at which event remains to be seen but a Davis Cup victory with Spain would be an incredible send off for one of the greatest players to hold a racket. He is revered as one of the best athletes to come out of Spain.