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JOAN SOLSONA
Updated
There was no doubt that Rafael Nadal was going to prepare in the best possible way for the last date of his career in the Final 8 of the Davis Cup at Martín Carpena in Málaga. The Spaniard, 38 years old, He has been increasing the pace of training day by day and has accumulated four preparatory sessions (on Sunday he even doubled singles with Alex de Miñaur and then doubles) since he landed in the Andalusian town last Thursday.
Nadal had problems when serving in his participation in the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh. He had to change the mechanics and some of his first services traveled at no more than 160 kilometers per hour. He made it evident with clear gestures to his bench—Carlos Moyá and Marc López were there—in the semifinal between him and his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz on October 17.
Since then, He has been controlling the abdominal pain and has visited Barcelona with his trusted doctor, Ángel Ruiz Cotorro.which is also the Spanish Davis Cup team.
The champion of 22 majors, who had trained with Pedro Martínez and Roberto Bautista, It was tested on Sunday with Alex de Minaur. That was the great test, taking into account the Australian’s status as world number nine, who had just competed in the ATP Finals in Turin.
David Ferrer, the national coach, has always trusted in the benefits that his former partner on the circuit could give him. Together they raised the Salad Bowl of 2008, 2009 and 2011.
Insurance in Davis Cup
And Nadal has a record in singles in the Davis Cup of 29 games won and one lost.. His only loss came in the 2004 debut against Czech Jiri Novak in Brno. In doubles their numbers are eight wins and four losses.
Rafa trained and finished the Sunday day training doubles. First he got together with Pedro Martínez and then he did it with Marcel Granollers, the great specialist of the ‘Armada’. Seven games were played, changing partners..
