Rafael Nadal wanted to play his last match before retiring at home in Spain and as part of Spain's Davis Cup team. It's a rare chance for a professional tennis player to be part of a team. The men’s Davis Cup concludes Sunday in Malaga, Spain, where the women’s Billie Jean King Cup wrapped up Wednesday with Italy as the champion.
Spain ’s Carlos Alcaraz, left, shakes hands with Rafael Nadal during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga , southern Spain , on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Italy ’s Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini celebrate their victory against Argentina’s Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni during their doubles tennis quarterfinal Davis Cup match at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga , southern Spain , on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.
There are benefits to being part of a team, of course, such as the off-court camaraderie: Two-time major finalist Jasmine Paolini said Italy’s players engaged in serious games of UNO after dinner throughout the Billie Jean King Cup. “Maybe because we’re tired of playing by ourselves — just for ourselves — and when we have these chances, it’s always nice,” Berrettini said.
So even though Wimbledon semifinalist Lorenzo Musetti came up short against Francisco Cerúndolo in Italy’s opener against Argentina, he could cheer as Sinner went 2-0 to overturn the deficit by winning the day’s second singles match and pairing with Berrettini to keep their country in the draw.
Davis Cup Rafael Nadal Malaga Italy Sports Jannik Sinner Alexei Popyrin Billie Jean King Spain Billie Jean King Cup Matteo Berrettini
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