"I hope Nadal is there too": Carlos Alcaraz suggests Spain captain David Ferrer wants him for the Davis Cup Finals

Carlos Alcaraz mentioned the possibility of Rafael Nadal returning before the end of the season to play in the Davis Cup Finals. The 4-time Grand Slam champion stated that captain David Ferrer would consider Nadal if he is in good health.

The world No. 3 led Spain to victory in the Group Stage, winning all three ties against Australia, France, and the Czech Republic. Alcaraz secured two singles wins and one doubles win, which were crucial in Spain's strong performance, advancing as group leaders.

Spain will play at home in the knockout stage, which will take place in Malaga from November 19 to 24. Their first opponent will be the Netherlands, led by Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp. A potential second-round matchup could be against Alexander Zverev's Germany or Felix Auger-Aliassime's Canada.

In their last group stage appearance, Spain's team included Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreño Busta, Pedro Martínez, and doubles specialist Marcel Granollers. However, other players could be considered, such as Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Roberto Carballés, or Jaume Munar. Still, captain Ferrer’s desire is to have 24-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal on the team.

According to Alcaraz in a conversation with the Spanish newspaper Marca before the Laver Cup, Ferrer’s team could include Nadal at the end of the year, depending on the former world No. 1's health. "I heard David say that if Rafa was there, he would go to the death with him," Alcaraz said.

"I hope I'm also physically fit to be able to go to Malaga. It's something I'm particularly excited about, and I hope Rafa is there too," the 2-time Wimbledon champion added.

Nadal was announced a few months ago as one of the players for Team Europe at the Laver Cup this weekend but withdrew, citing that he wasn’t at 100%, and was replaced by Grigor Dimitrov.

"It would have been super special to repeat here in Berlin. When they gave the team and I saw that Rafa was coming, I was really excited to share the locker room with him once again," the former world No. 3 added. "Here at the Laver Cup, we are all much closer together, and it would have been a unique experience. I’m going to miss him, and I hope he returns to the courts soon when he feels well," Alcaraz concluded.