The 2024 Davis Cup Finals - the world men's team tennis tournament - will take place from November 19 to 24. In Malaga, the question is not whether Jannik Sinner's Italy will defend their title, but the biggest concern is whether Spain will reach the final day and lift the trophy. Because their squad includes Rafael Nadal.
Because Nadal announced his retirement at this event. The day Rafa said that, the media wrote a lot and it seemed that that was all that could be written about the Spanish legend. Someone could have thought ahead and “put away” a few ideas to wait until the day he officially retired, but it turned out that was unnecessary - and maybe regretted not saying and writing right then…
Because, on the first day of the Davis Cup - unfortunately Nadal and the Spanish team could not go further, emotions came flooding back. There were other things to say, to share...
But, whatever is said, the irresistible thing is that Nadal has officially stepped through the door of time, as another member of the Big Three, Roger Federer, did 2 years ago...
Speaking of the door of time, football fans in Vietnam can begin to imagine the final journey of Que Ngoc Hai and Do Hung Dung. Two of the veteran names of the national team are not on the list of players preparing for the ASEAN Cup 2024. Ngoc Hai and Hung Dung are both 31 years old, one has dedicated 10 years to the team, the other - like a late blooming flower, has only 6 years.
Although the times are different, their contributions are great enough to be recognized. However, the knocking of time has been more urgent for them. What speaks more about them recently is their physical strength, their inability to cover everything... Their experience is not in question, but at present, coach Kim Sang-sik can judge that youth is more necessary for the tournament where the biggest rivals are likely to use youth as a foundation.
Absence from the 2024 AFF Cup may not be the end for Ngoc Hai and Hung Dung, but people understand that their time with the national team is counting down to 0...
