Rafael Nadal will only play doubles in his farewell, says Paris Masters director: “He’s not jeopardising the team’s result”

Rafael Nadal is preparing for his farewell at the Davis Cup Finals, and the director of the Paris Masters, Cedric Pioline, predicts that the Spaniard will only play doubles to avoid affecting Spain's outcome.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has raised some doubts about his physical condition ahead of his arrival in Malaga. "Will I be ready for the Davis Cup? Emotionally, yes, that’s for sure; physically and tennis-wise, I still have a month ahead of me," Nadal said at a press conference during the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.

"I will prepare, I will try to be in shape to help the team win. If I feel ready and the captain feels the same way, it will be his decision. If I don’t feel ready, I will be the first to step away and see how I can help," the former world No. 1 added.

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"First, I have to be the one who feels competitive to get into the game; then you can win or lose; that’s part of the sport. If I’m not 100% or if I’m far from winning my match, I won’t go on the court."

According to Pioline, he inquired about Nadal's potential interest in participating in the Paris Masters, but the Spaniard ruled it out from the beginning. "I asked if there was any interest, but the answer was very clear: he has decided to play the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga as his last event, and he will not play an official tournament until then," the Frenchman told the media.

Nadal at Paris Olympics 2024.

"It’s hard to know whether he feels he’s performing well and whether he thinks he can bring something to the table," Pioline added. "From what I know of him, I’m of the opinion that he’ll only play the doubles to take his leave and not jeopardise the team’s result for his personal need to say goodbye.

“There’s a form of risk [in not playing before the Davis Cup Finals], but he knows himself well; he has a whole team, and I think it’s clear in his head,” he commented. “The less we play, the less rhythm we have. The less rhythm you have, the less confidence you have. What’s certain is that with all his injuries in two years, others would have thrown in the towel sooner.

“To his credit, he hung in there and chose when and where to call it a day. That’s priceless.”

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