"He's ready to play": David Ferrer quells uncertainty about Rafael Nadal's Davis Cup Finals farewell

David Ferrer has quelled the uncertainty that surrounds Rafael Nadal and whether he will play at the Davis Cup Finals.

Nadal has confirmed he will be retiring at the end of the season at the team event. He hasn't played a competitive match since the Paris Olympics and the last time he played on a hardcourt was back in January at the Brisbane International.

However Ferrer is optimistic and said that he is in daily discussions with Nadal and his team about whether or not he can play in the coming weeks.

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“I have a lot of confidence in Rafa because I’ve spent my entire career with him and I know he’s honest about whether he sees himself capable of competing or not. My idea after talking to him is that he’s ready to play,” Ferrer said to Marca.

“I spoke to Rafa on Wednesday, I am also in constant contact with his coach Carlos Moyá and his agent Carlos Costa. They are updating me day by day.

“I will decide in Malaga (on what match he will play) when I see how he is training. But the same will happen with the rest of the players. If Nadal is training at a good level and is physically fit, he is an option, of course.”

But it is a tournament which has multiple added caveats including Alcaraz and Granollers turning up just before due to the ATP Finals in Turin which Ferrer says isn't ideal.

“The fact that you have two important players in Turin, with chances of winning the Masters, and they arrive later than usual and play on Tuesday, is not the best, to be honest,” Ferrer commented.

“It’s Rafa’s last tournament and everyone wants to be there. That motivation and that desire to go as far as possible. It’s always better to play at home and with the crowd behind you.

“Pressure? That’s what there is when you play in a competition and you have to accept it. This is still sport. Winning or not winning is not going to change the players’ careers. What will change is that it will be a different year because of what Rafa Nadal represents.”

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In terms of what the future holds after he plays his final matches, he said it is very much up to him over anybody else.

“Rafa can do whatever he wants and he would be a great Davis Cup captain because he loves this competition.” He said.

“For the rest and the humility he has for such a great player, he will be a very good captain. He will contribute a lot to the young players and, in addition, he has personality, which is important for sitting in the chair.”