Ferrer: “I would choose Rafa Nadal again, I have no regrets”

Midday after Rafa Nadal’s withdrawal, Spain lost against the Netherlands. Speaking, David Ferrer, captain of the national team, speaking to Mundo Deportivo.

have you slept

bit. I fell asleep a bit. A lot happened. First the nerves, then the defeat and finally saying goodbye to a friend. And this is not the goodbye we want. We didn’t want it to be Tuesday, we wanted to try to make it to Sunday. But things are like that, it’s sport.

The tribute was very cold.

Because loss makes you sad. Someone as important to the sport as Rafa, every Tuesday at one o’clock in the morning… Those are the circumstances, although it doesn’t change anything. Whether it’s more emotional or less, faster or not, he’s sure that next year he’ll be competing in big tournaments, there’s sure to be another goodbye that people will follow him more.

And how was your goodbye?

I haven’t spoken to Rafa this morning, I said goodbye to his coach and the rest of the team and I will say goodbye to Rafa, I will call him and this week we will talk. Now many things. We have a lot of confidence. Let’s stay together.

With your loss, did you feel that this was Rafa Nadal’s last match?

I was confident we could pull it off. And in doubles I also had the confidence that we were better. The level of the Netherlands surprised me, especially the Koolhof. They played a great game. Doubles are decided by points which can change the dynamics. It’s not like that, and that’s it. We stayed like that, like a pitcher of cold water.

Is Rafa Nadal’s farewell harder to handle?

It’s not difficult. The better players you have are always better. Rafa prepared himself as best he could. He trained well. There was that doubt with Roberto (Bautista) and Rafa, but Rafa was prepared. He competed and it didn’t happen. It’s a fast track, one that comes with more games, with rhythm. Rafa has competed very little in recent months. And training is not the same as competing.

Nadal said the decision was made by the captain. He shifted all responsibility to him.

Yes, it’s fine. This is the truth. The captain has to make the decision and I don’t regret it. In retrospect, it was all very easy, but I would do it again. Obviously, knowing the result, you can change some things, tactics. But I am confident that this is the best team. It is so. This is for the captain. To make decisions and accept that sometimes they turn out well and sometimes they don’t.

What moments do you dwell on?

many. Davis Cup, when we played together. And see the end of his career, and see the last game by his side. Things I experienced in the chair, memories I keep to myself. Being the closest to his last game.

What was it like playing against him?

It is a stone. You know you have to play at the highest level. But it’s also true that when it’s your turn it’s in the final rounds, that means you had a good tournament. But yes, in the Conde de Godó finals, which I never won, and I played four against him. I was really hurt by that. At Roland Garros he was a heavy favorite and I had no choice. But when you play with him you have to play at your highest level and he has doubts. And he had some doubts, especially in the final rounds.

Do you have a feeling of emptiness?

Beyond the loss, it was living with him for the rest of his life. He is a friend. And I want it to be the best possible farewell for him because of how much I value him and what he means to tennis. But I know he will be happy. You have a lot to worry about in life, a new phase will begin. He is very stable in his family and has things that he likes and enjoys and that is not easy after he finishes his tennis career with so much success.

In 2025, the Davis Cup format changes, with two qualifying rounds to reach the Final 8, replacing home and away as before. Is it hard to win?

I think it gets better so we can reach the Finals. Now having two ‘singles’ which give you more points helps (the best of five points will be played, four singles and a double). Now doubles, especially indoors, add up a lot. It is important that in Spain there are singles players with more points options than just doubles. They don’t know how to play. There are countries that are used to playing all year round, in Spain we have Marcel Granollers, but he plays with a player from another country (with Zeballos).

What is it about tennis that no player ever completely leaves it afterwards?

In the end, it’s what we’ve always done, and it’s what we want. In a way, we are all still linked. You’ve been doing this since you were 8 years old. In that sense, it’s like finding a job you want and you’ll never end up working. This is what we feel and know how to do. And the eagerness to see the new generations, how they develop, expressing your experience with young players. This is something beautiful.

What tennis are you playing now?

A new generation begins. It’s hard to replace, but we have Sinner and Alcaraz, it will be attractive for tennis, for sure.