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RAFAEL NADAL US Open
ATP Tennis Players, Rafa Nadal, Tennis News

Jannik Sinner victory ends remarkable Rafael Nadal ATP Finals record


Jannik Sinner’s victory in Vienna has ensured that Rafael Nadal will not qualify for the prestigious ATP Finals event for the first time since 2004. 

The Spaniard, who hasn’t featured since August, has completed just 29 matches this year after suffering major injury setbacks including a foot injury which has ruled him out of the rest of 2021.

Although Nadal will finish the season inside the Top 10, his inactivity has ruled him out of contention for the end of year ATP Finals showdown in Turin.

Nadal’s fate was sealed when Italian sensation Jannik Sinner continued his incredible run on the indoor hard-courts with a comprehensive victory over fellow contender Casper Ruud.

Despite missing the 2021 edition, the two-time ATP Finals finalist remains the only player with 16 consecutive appearances at the event.

It is not yet known when Nadal will make his return to competitive action, with the Spaniard recently conceding he ‘does not know’ when he will play again.

“I want to recover from this injury in good condition,” said Nadal, who only completed two matches since his French Open semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic.

“I don’t know when I will play again, I work a lot every day, I follow a specific plan with a marked roadmap and with very clear objectives.”

Current Race to Turin: 

1) Novak Djokovic (8,370) – QUALIFIED

2) Daniil Medvedev (6,470) – QUALIFIED

3) Stefanos Tsitsipas (5,695) – QUALIFIED

4) Alexander Zverev (5,275) – QUALIFIED

5) Andrey Rublev (4,210) – QUALIFIED

6) Matteo Berrettini (4,090) – QUALIFIED

7) Casper Ruud (3,105)

8) Jannik Sinner (3,015)

9) Rafael Nadal (2,985) – OUT OF CONTENTION DUE TO INJURY

10) Hubert Hurkacz (2,955)


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.