Carlos Alcaraz is motivated to win the Davis Cup for his country. However, the 21-year-old believes Rafael Nadal's farewell in Malaga is more important.
The Davis Cup is one tournament Alcaraz has yet to win. By contrast, Nadal won the prestigious team event four times during his illustrious career, most recently the 2019 iteration held in Madrid.
Alcaraz's happiness to be back on home soil in Malaga might improve Team Spain's chances of winning the title. The four-time Grand Slam champion spoke about how much he misses being at home after Alexander Zverev eliminated him from the ATP Finals.
Not everyone sympathizes with Alcaraz's situation. Tennis and equality icon Billie Jean King criticized him and other players for complaining about the schedule but then playing at exhibitions in December during the off-season.
However, Alcaraz can put his concerns about the schedule to one side since the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga will be his final tournament of the season, and he is determined to finish with a flourish for Nadal.
Alcaraz previously discussed how Nadal winning a fifth Davis Cup title in his final professional appearance would be a fitting way to honor one of the most legendary careers in the sport's history.
The world No. 3 went further in comments made to the ATP. Alcaraz considers Nadal's farewell to be considerably more important than winning the Davis Cup since marking the end of the 38-year-old's career will only be done once.
"Rafa’s farewell is much more important, at least for me. The Davis Cup is every year. Rafa’s farewell, saying goodbye to a legend of the sport, unfortunately only happens once. The Davis is very important, representing your country and trying to win it for Spain, but personally I’m very excited to be by Rafa’s side for his farewell."
"And the fact that it’s in the Davis, which is a very important tournament for him, virtually where he started his career with that victory against Roddick... Being able to retire in this competition is special, and it is for me, too. It will be an incredible event because of the occasion and hopefully it will end with the title."
The Spanish No. 1 thinks Nadal's farewell means this year's Davis Cup Finals will be one of the most memorable tournaments of his career, and also believes no other player in the sport's history is more deserving of ending with a significant title.
"It’s probably the most special tournament I’ll play in my career, because of what’s happening, because of the circumstances. The Davis Cup has always been a tournament that I’d love to win one day,"
"I’m passionate about representing Spain. I’ve said it many times: one of the greatest things in the world is being able to represent your country in any field. Having Rafa by my side, knowing it’s his last tournament, will make it much more special."
"I’ll try to contribute and help the team any way I can – for me, for Spain and especially for Rafa. No player deserves more to finish the incredible career he had with a title, and I know how special the Davis Cup is for him. It will be a difficult challenge but winning it for Rafa is a huge motivation."