MALAGA, Spain (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal will not dwell on his impending retirement at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga and focus on helping Spain claim the title this week, the 38-year-old said on Monday.
Nadal will call time on his glittering career spanning more than two decades at the team competition and the 22-times Grand Slam champion had said previously he may only play doubles if it gives the team a better chance of winning a seventh title.
“If I’m on the court I hope to control my emotions. I’m not here to retire. I’m here to help the team win. It’s my last week in a team competition and the most important thing is to help the team,” Nadal told reporters.
“The emotions will come at the end. Before and after I will be focused on what I have to do.
“I feel good, I’ve been thinking about it for quite some time. I’ve been trying to give myself a chance and I decided over time. I’m enjoying the week, I’m not paying much attention to the retirement thing.
“It will be a big change in my life after this week. I’m very excited and happy to be here.”
Spain face the Netherlands in their opening match at the Nov. 19 to Nov. 24 tournament featuring eight nations.
“I have the chance to retire in my country,” Nadal added.
“I enjoy living here in Spain and it’s something that makes me really happy. The team was already in Valencia to get into this Final Eight in Malaga and now I’m feeling incredible support from everyone.
“The kids, the press … all the people are enjoying me and are showing it to me. It’s super special.”
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar and Fernando Kallas; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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