Carlos Alcaraz hopes his idol Rafael Nadal will be fit and ready to fight for Team Spain at November's Davis Cup Knockout Stage.
The four-time Grand Slam champion expressed his disappointment about Nadal's withdrawal from the Laver Cup, which began on Friday. It would have been special to see Nadal and Roger Federer together again at the event.
Alcaraz is making his debut at the Laver Cup, which is undoubtedly a major attraction for fans in Berlin, Germany, to purchase tickets for the team event that generates much attention every year.
Although Alcaraz is sad Nadal is not at the tournament, he also idolized Federer, which makes competing at the Laver Cup special for him. Alcaraz still clings to the memory of meeting the Swiss legend for the first time.
The Spaniard has a busy schedule between now and the end of the season. After the Laver Cup is completed, he heads straight to Beijing for the China Open before the Shanghai Masters begins the following week.
Alcaraz will play at least three more tournaments after that: the Paris Masters, the ATP Finals, and the Davis Cup Knockout Stage. Hopefully, he will avoid the burnout some were concerned about after his US Open second-round defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp.
In contrast to Alcaraz's busy schedule, just being fit for the Davis Cup Knockout Stage would be a significant moment for Nadal after his constant physical issues during the last two years.
Spain's Davis Cup captain, David Ferrer, said Nadal is in the conversation for the team that will compete in November in the Davis Cup Knockout Stage, provided he can prove he is fit and ready to compete.
Alcaraz wants his idol on the team, especially because he heard Ferrer mention that Nadal said he would fight to the death with him if he is able to compete in Malaga at the year-end event.
"I heard David say that if Rafa was there, he would go to the death with him."
The prospect of Nadal and Alcaraz, who played doubles together at this year's Olympics, fighting together for Spain on home soil is very exciting, although it is unknown if the 22-time Grand Slam champion will be fit.
Alcaraz said he is particularly looking forward to competing to win the Davis Cup title in front of his home fans in Malaga and hopes Nadal can get himself fit before the knockout stage, which runs from November 19 to 24.
"I hope I'm also physically fit to be able to go to Malaga. It's something that I'm particularly excited about and I hope Rafa is there too."
Nadal has been extremely successful at the Davis Cup throughout his career, winning it five times. His last appearance was in 2019. He missed the last three editions because of injuries. (The event was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.)
If he is fit, his experience could be an invaluable asset for Team Spain. Having one of the three greatest players ever present would also add to the event's prestige.