Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer says he would consider calling Rafael Nadal up to his team even if he is not fully fit.
Nadal withdrew from the French Open last month due to a lack of fitness and opened up about his likely plans to retire from the sport next year.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has not played since losing in the second round of the Australian Open in January.
Nadal told reporters at the time he will rest for an unspecified period of time before potentially returning at the end of the year for the Davis Cup.
Spain’s Group C campaign gets underway on September 12 as they battle Serbia, Czech Republic and South Korea for a place in the final eight who face off in November.
Ferrer suggests Nadal could make it into his squad this year.
“Possibly yes, for all that he can transmit,” he told Eurosport.
“Nadal even without being 100% is a very special player, who transmits a lot and who is so good on court.
“You can trust him for his ability to suffer and in his tennis.”
Novak Djokovic broke out a tie with Nadal in the all-time men’s Grand Slam singles titles standings after winning his 23rd major at the French Open earlier this month.
Djokovic is on course for a Calendar Slam this year having already won the Australian Open in January.
Ferrer says Djokovic “deserved to win” the French Open and believes there is the possibility of the Serb achieving the historic feat.
He added: “It is not going to be easy, but Djokovic is one the greatest in history and is qualified to it.
“If physically he is in very good shape, he has just won the Grand Slam which is more difficult due to his game, and he has achieved it with resolve.
“He deserved to win.”
