Rafael Nadal named for Spain as Davis Cup Final 8 teams announced

Jannik Sinner returns for Italy, but Alexander Zverev is missing from Germany’s team

23 September 2024

(AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

The Davis Cup Final 8 teams have been announced, and there’s one big name in the mix in Malaga this November: Rafael Nadal.

The Spaniard has not competed since the Paris Olympics, where he lost second round to Novak Djokovic in the singles, and made the quarter-finals of the doubles alongside compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.

Nadal, who is currently ranked No 154 and has only won 14 singles matches in the past two years, has not given any indication of when he will be retiring – but as always, speculation is swirling about whether this year’s Davis Cup could be a swansong.

The 38-year-old will be competing alongside Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers, under the captaincy of David Ferrer, as Spain seek their seventh Davis Cup title.

Italy and USA boast full strength Davis Cup teams

Spain will have some tough competition if they are to win their first title since 2019, as Italy and USA have each named strong teams as well.

Jannik Sinner returns to Davis Cup action for Italy, having been integral in their 2023 title, while US Open runner up Taylor Fritz links up with Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton for America.

Notable omissions are Alexander Zverev for Germany, and Alex de Minaur for Australia.

Here are the full squads for all eight Davis Cup Final 8 nations:

Italy