Nadalcaraz the sequel? Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner on Davis Cup Final 8 lineups

Nadalcaraz on home soil? That’s the plan for now, after the initial lineups for the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga were announced Monday.

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz headline the field alongside world No. 1 Jannik Sinner as competitors booked for the knockout phase of the men’s team event running November 19-24.

Nadal and Alcaraz made their team debut at the Paris Olympics, ultimately falling one match short of the medal rounds to Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. The 22-time major winner hasn’t played since competing at the Games, with Nadal’s career plans beyond 2024 up in the air.

Alcaraz helped the second seeds advance just over a week ago in Valencia. Looking to add a maiden Davis Cup crown to the silver medal in singles he brought home from Paris, the current No. 3 is well-acquainted with one member of Spain’s quarterfinal opponent in the Netherlands. Botic Van de Zandschulp, who ousted Alcaraz in the second round of the US Open, returns with compatriot Tallon Griekspoor.

The winner of both hard-court majors this year, Sinner combined to go 5-0 in singles and doubles at the 2023 Davis Cup Finals to lead Italy to its first trophy since 1976. Countryman Lorenzo Musetti is also seeking a title defense, with the top seeds opening against Argentina—featuring Sebastian Baez, Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

As for the U.S., Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton provide captain Bob Bryan options on the singles front, with Krajicek and Ram filling out the squad. Their first hurdle is Australia, last year’s runner-up. The green and gold boasts Montreal champion Alexei Popyrin among its nominations, though had a notable omission with Alex de Minaur.

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov, who propelled Canada to its maiden triumph in 2022, are back for another run. Germany fields Jan-Lennard Struff and Yannick Hanfmann, though hasn’t maxed out its five-man roster. Will world No. 2 Alexander Zverev factor into the conversation later?