Carlos Alcaraz has been eliminated in the group stage (Round Robin) of the ATP Finals 2024. The Spaniard lost in the first match against Casper Ruud 1-6, 5-7, beat Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6(8) and lost again against Alexander Zverev 6-7(5), 4-6.
Although the match between Rublev and Ruud is still to be played, it is mathematically impossible for him to qualify for the semis. Therefore, the world number 3 is already thinking about the next tournament, which will be the last of the year.
He will be at the Davis Cup with Spain, at the Martin Carpena in Malaga, at home, being one of the favorite teams. He will share team with Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, Marcel Granollers and, of course, Rafael Nadal. They will be coached by David Ferrer and it will be the last tournament of the Spanish and world tennis legend's career.
That is why Carlitos wants to give his best and do everything possible for Rafa to retire with one last trophy. It would be his sixth Davis Cup at the individual level and would leave behind the record he currently shares with fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.
“Well, it is the last tournament of the year for me, probably one of the most special tournaments that I'm going to play. Last tournament of Rafa, I'll be able to be next to him in the last moments on a tennis court for him," he said.
"But I would think that it is the Davis Cup. It is a tournament I really want to win one day. When I was a kid, I'd dream about winning the Davis Cup, for Spain. This year we have a really special chance to win it. I will try to help the team to win the Davis Cup for me. But I think it's most important for Rafa, for his last tournament. I really want him to retire with a title. It's going to be really, really emotional and a really special tournament for me.”
Carlos Alcaraz says he really wants Rafa Nadal to retire with a title at the Davis Cup, ‘I'll be able to be next to him in the last moments on a tennis court for him’
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 15, 2024
“Now the season is next to the end, but you have to be in Davis Cup. You will find again Rafa, as you were in… pic.twitter.com/lpts76XXVc