Rafael Nadal applauds Carlos Alcaraz-led Team Spain as they clinch spot in Davis Cup Finals 2024 knockout stages

Rafael Nadal praised Team Spain's emphatic entry into the Final 8 of the 2024 Davis Cup. Carlos Alcaraz and company put on a brilliant display over the weekend by dominating every opponent and topping the group stages with a 3-0 record. Team Spain was placed in Group B alongside Team Czechia, Team France, and Team Australia.

Spain kicked off their Davis Cup Finals group stages against Team Czechia and with help from Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Marcel Granollers, got off to a strong 3-0 win start.

Next, they faced Team France. And though they lost the doubles match, Bautista Agut and Alcaraz's singles wins helped them get over the line with a 2-1 win. This win also confirmed their entry into the Final 8.

Finally, they faced Team Australia in a match where the winner would top Group B. First, Pablo Carreno Busta defeated Jordan Thompson to give Spain the lead. The Aussies responded with Alexei Popyrin's win over Pedro Martinez to even the score.

Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez's phenomenal comeback from a set down against Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden secured a 2-1 win for Team Spain in the tie and a 3-0 record to top their group.

Following this, Rafael Nadal, a five-time Davis Cup winner, with victories in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019, took to his Instagram stories to applaud Team Spain's entry into the Final 8. He reshared Real Federacion Espanola de Tenis' posts celebrating their win.

via Rafael Nadal's Instagram stories.

Team Spain will play either Germany or the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. Spain will also have the advantage during the knockout stages, since the matches will take place at the Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga, Spain.

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Rafael Nadal pulls out of 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin

Rafael Nadal (Source: Getty)

Rafael Nadal had pulled out of the 2024 US Open earlier this year and had confirmed that his next tournament would be the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin.

However, the Spaniard has now pulled out of the exhibition event as well. He said there are players better suited than him to represent Team Europe and deliver them the win.

Nadal said in a statement,

"I’m really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week. This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what’s best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win," (via Laver Cup's Instagram).

He added that though he was disappointed that he wouldn't be able to compete, he would be cheering on Team Europe .