- Rafael Nadal will make his final Davis Cup appearance.
- Despite a lingering hip injury, de Minaur fought through pain during his debut ATP Finals.
- Alex de Minaur’s Davis Cup inclusion will be a huge boost for Australia.
In what promises to be a final swansong steeped in nostalgia, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Spanish sensation Rafael Nadal as he makes his final Davis Cup appearance to close out a glittering career.
A legend of the game, the 22-time Grand Slam champion has transcended tennis with a passion that has gripped fans for decades. Though Nadal managed to recover from hip surgery that has knocked him since January, he hasn’t competed professionally since his historic showing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he was honoured in a city that has continued to hold a special place throughout his career.
His final swansong in Málaga will be bittersweet for the Spaniard, who has admitted that as he nears retirement his body simply cannot keep up with the demands of the modern game, recovering from hip surgery in which part of his muscle had to be removed to alleviate some of the pain.
Will Alex de Minaur Play at the Davis Cup?
As the spotlight falls on Nadal, Australia’s hopes rest squarely on Alex de Minaur. Fresh off a gritty ATP Finals campaign in Turin, where he pushed Taylor Fritz to three tough sets despite a lingering hip issue that has plagued him since Wimbledon this year, the World No. 9’s inclusion in Australia’s Davis Cup team is a major boost for captain Lleyton Hewitt.
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Despite declaring it a “miracle” he was even able to compete at the ATP Finals this month, Alex de Minaur fought through the pain to deny Fritz an easy run to the finals of the season-ender in Turin, battling from the baseline to combat Fritz’s typical heavy serving style and taking the game to the American in his debut outing.
“I’m not satisfied with just staying in my career where I am today. I want to keep on improving. That’s going to be the goal for next season.”
Alex de Minaur
As the Australian winced in pain on the court, tennis fans Down Under were preparing for the possibility that de Minaur could be excluded from this year’s squad, with the Australian Open, “Demon’s” home Slam and season-opener, in Melbourne taking place in January.
Ahead of the Finals this week, Alex de Minaur has been spotted in inter-team sessions across from Rafael Nadal on the courts in Málaga, suggesting that Lleyton Hewitt is willing to take a risk on the Sydneysider’s fitness with a late inclusion, reportedly replacing Max Purcell.
Australia at the Davis Cup
Australia’s Davis Cup story is one of triumph, tradition and tenacity. With 28 titles to their name, second only to the United States, the Aussies boast a rich history in this iconic competition. Something captain Lleyton Hewitt knows all too well having lifted this coveted trophy twice in his legendary career.
For Hewitt, including de Minaur in this year’s squad is more than a tactical decision; it shows a statement of intent from a nation ready to compete with the favourites of this reputable competition and a glowing faith in his protégé’s competitive spirit.
Of course, for de Minaur, it’s also an opportunity to avenge the result of last year’s competition, where he took Australian hearts to the final of the Davis Cup to face Italy’s Jannick Sinner in Málaga, falling short and conceding 2-0 for Italy’s first title since 1976.
Is Alex de Minaur injured?
Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur suffered a rare hip injury at Wimbledon, tearing his adductor longus muscle into the fibrocartilage on his right side. It’s made the second half of his 2024 campaign a painful push for qualification, competing in just one singles tournament – the US Open- following his Wimbledon exit.
The 25-year-old’s determination to represent Australia at ‘The World Cup of Tennis’ has been nothing short of remarkable, and his inclusion is undoubtedly a calculated risk by captain Lleyton Hewitt, who knows how important the World No. 9 is to the team’s chances.
His return adds some firepower and experience to the Australian lineup as they prepare for a tough quarter-final clash against the United States, where a familiar foe, Taylor Fritz, will be waiting.
