Rafael Nadal’s final professional appearance is set for the Davis Cup Finals next month, but speculation has been rife about whether he would compete at the Paris Masters. The tournament director has now clarified the situation.

Nadal’s Special Connection to Paris

Nadal holds a remarkable record in the French capital, particularly at the French Open, where he has won an unprecedented 14 titles, with the last victory coming in 2022. His 2022 French Open run included a memorable quarterfinal win over Novak Djokovic, marking the last time he defeated his long-time rival.

Injury Setbacks and Recent Matches

The past two years have been challenging for Nadal due to repeated injuries. However, despite these setbacks, he has faced Djokovic twice in 2024. The first encounter occurred at the Olympics in Paris, where Djokovic emerged victorious. Their second clash was last week at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia, where Djokovic once again triumphed and paid an emotional tribute to Nadal following their final match.

Nadal’s participation in the exhibition, after two months away from competitive play, sparked rumors that he might compete at the Paris Masters, the final ATP Masters-1000 event of the year.

Paris Masters – A Tough Tournament for Nadal

Historically, the Paris Masters has been one of the least successful tournaments in Nadal’s career. His only final appearance came in 2007, which ended in a heavy defeat. It is one of three Masters-1000 events that Nadal has never won, alongside the Miami Open and the Shanghai Masters.

Given that Nadal didn’t get a proper farewell at this year’s French Open, the Paris Masters seemed like a suitable venue for him to say goodbye to Paris, as well as to gain some match practice on indoor hard courts before the Davis Cup Finals.

Tournament Director Reveals Nadal’s Decision

Paris Masters tournament director Cedric Pioline confirmed that, despite the rumors, Nadal did not request to play in the tournament:

“It’s true that it was a real option for him to come to Paris to play matches, a form of logic given that the Davis Cup will be his final curtain, but no, he has not made a request.”

“Choosing this moment, a Davis Cup in Spain with the possibility of experiencing this with all his teammates, his family, his friends, it makes sense and it suits him well, I think.”

Nadal’s Final Farewell at the Davis Cup

Understandably, Nadal likely chose not to risk further injury before his final appearance at the Davis Cup, despite his participation in the Six Kings Slam exhibition. His role as an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation may have influenced that decision.

Paris Masters Wild Cards Announced

With Nadal opting out of the Paris Masters, the four wild card entries for the event have been confirmed. Among those receiving wild cards is Richard Gasquet, who will make his final appearance at the tournament before retiring next year. Other French players receiving wild cards include Gael Monfils, Adrian Mannarino, and Giovanni Mpetshi.

Nadal’s decision not to compete in Paris leaves his fans eagerly awaiting his final competitive appearance at the Davis Cup, where he will say farewell to the sport surrounded by his teammates and loved ones.