Tennis News Today: Carlos Alcaraz aims to give Rafael Nadal the perfect send-off at Davis Cup; Paula Badosa jokes Iga Swiatek “ruined” her birthday at BJK Cup

Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz expressed his desire to retire his idol Rafael Nadal on a high note with a Davis Cup Finals trophy. In other news, Paula Badosa jokingly teased Iga Swiatek for “ruining” her birthday after losing to the Pole in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem and his girlfriend Lili made a stylish appearance at Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev’s ATP Finals showdown in Turin, Italy. Iga Swiatek’s confidence grew under new coach Wim Fisette as Poland reached the Billie Jean King Cup Finals quarterfinals.

Carlos Alcaraz hopes to send idol Rafael Nadal off in style with Davis Cup title

Carlos Alcaraz has shared his dream of retiring his idol, Rafael Nadal, with a Davis Cup trophy at the 2024 Finals. After starting his ATP Finals campaign with a loss to Casper Ruud, the third seed bounced back to defeat Andrey Rublev but fell in straight sets to Alexander Zverev in his final round-robin match on November 15.

Alcaraz will join Nadal in Malaga for the Davis Cup Finals, which he described as an “emotional and special” event, marking their last tournament together.

“I think it’s most important for Rafa, for his last tournament. I really want him to retire with a title. It’s going to be really, really emotional and a really special tournament for me,” Carlos Alcaraz said in a press conference in Turin.

“It is the last tournament of the year for me, probably one of the most special tournaments that I’m going to play,” Alcaraz said. “Last tournament of Rafa, I’ll be able to be next to him in the last moments on a tennis court for him.”

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“But I would think that it is the Davis Cup. It is a tournament I really want to win one day. When I was a kid, I’d dream about winning the Davis Cup, for Spain. This year we have a really special chance to win it. I will try to help the team to win the Davis Cup for me

Paula Badosa jokingly blamed Iga Swiatek for spoiling her birthday with BJK Cup defeat

Paula Badosa humorously claimed that Iga Swiatek “ruined” her 27th birthday after the Pole defeated her in their Billie Jean King Cup Finals match, resulting in a loss for Spain. In their group tie, Poland’s Magda Linette first won against Sara Sorribes, followed by World No. 2 Swiatek defeating Badosa 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-1.