Carlos Alcaraz says successful the Davis Cup for Rafael Nadal is a “large motivation” and can mark the “most particular” match of his profession.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, will retire from tennis after representing Spain in subsequent week’s Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Spain face the Netherlands within the quarter-finals on Tuesday as they appear so as to add to their six titles – 4 of which Nadal has performed a component in.
“It is in all probability essentially the most particular match I am going to play in my profession, due to what’s occurring, due to the circumstances,” mentioned 21-year-old Alcaraz, who’s ranked third on the planet.
“The Davis Cup has at all times been a match that I might like to win sooner or later. I am enthusiastic about representing Spain.
“Having Rafa by my aspect, understanding it is his final match, will make it far more particular.”
Alcaraz made his Davis Cup debut in 2022, three years after Spain’s most up-to-date title.
He and Nadal, 17 years his senior, teamed up within the doubles at this summer time’s Olympics in Paris, although have been knocked out within the quarter-finals.
Nadal will retire because the second-most profitable males’s singles participant of all time, behind solely long-time rival Novak Djokovic.
“No participant deserves extra to complete the unbelievable profession he had with a title, and I understand how particular the Davis Cup is for him. It is going to be a tough problem however successful it for Rafa is a large motivation,” Alcaraz advised the ATP web site.
He added: “Rafa’s farewell is far more necessary, no less than for me. The Davis Cup is yearly. Rafa’s farewell, saying goodbye to a legend of the game, sadly solely occurs as soon as. Personally I’m very excited to be by Rafa’s aspect for his farewell.”
