MALAGA, Spain — The relatively understated farewell ceremony for Rafael Nadal at the Davis Cup received support from the head of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Sunday, emphasizing that it aligned with the wishes of the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
“Rafa is an extraordinary athlete who leaves behind a remarkable legacy in tennis, inspiring countless individuals to engage with the sport. It was crucial for us to honor Rafa’s preferences in how he wished to be celebrated, and that’s exactly what we accomplished,” ITF President David Haggerty stated during a press conference wrapped up at the venue for the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup in southern Spain.
Haggerty further remarked, “We followed his lead and successfully executed a ceremony that resonated with what Rafa envisioned. Regardless of varying opinions about the approach taken, the priority was to create an event that valued Rafa’s desires — which, considering the person he is, resulted in a wonderful evening that was genuinely appreciated.”
Feliciano López, the former player and current tournament director of the Davis Cup Finals, redirected attention when faced with questions regarding Nadal’s send-off after Spain’s elimination at the hands of the Netherlands in the quarterfinal round.
“Our focus should be on the fact that Rafa selected the Davis Cup as the final competition of his career, rather than dwelling on the details of his farewell ceremony,” López expressed. “To be truthful, we did our utmost.”
A video tribute was showcased, featuring highlights from Nadal’s illustrious career interspersed with messages of congratulations from current and past stars like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Serena Williams.
However, none of these prominent figures attended the ceremony in person.
Looking ahead, Haggerty announced that the bidding for future hosts of both the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup is nearing completion, with two or three candidates vying for each event. It is possible these tournaments may take place in the same city or be distributed among different venues, mirroring the arrangement from this year’s competitions, which had the women’s team event switched to Malaga due to complications in Seville, the original location.
The ITF aims to reveal the chosen venues on December 2, coinciding with the draw announcement for the 2025 Davis Cup qualifying matches in London.
“Numerous factors will influence our decision-making process, but foremost among them is ensuring excellent visibility for these competitions — we strive to make continuous improvements. While financial considerations are significant, they are not the main priority. Our focus centers on fostering growth for both the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup,” Haggerty conveyed.
Malaga has hosted the Davis Cup Finals for the past two years and retains the possibility of remaining the site for 2025 based on its contractual agreements.
Haggerty also shared that a total of 65,000 spectators attended this year’s events, an increase from last year’s figure of 60,000, of which 43% traveled from abroad to witness the competitions.