Rafael Nadal ‘excited’ ahead of his first ATP Finals in Turin

Rafael Nadal says he is ‘excited’ to be playing the ATP Finals this year after missing out when Turin hosted it for the first time.

Nadal, who has remarkably never won the event, has had a very tough second half of the year due to an abdominal injury.

He heads to Italy with his only match since the US Open being a surprise defeat to Tommy Paul in Paris. After that match he admitted it was hard to see himself challenging for the title in Turin.

However, he is now in Italy and has had a practice session against Taylor Fritz, who he beat in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, and he is looking forward to the tournament.

“It’s always great news to be playing the last event of the year,” Nadal said, as per atptour.com

“That says that you had a great season, so I’m excited.

“Italy is a very close country for me. Being in Turin for the first time in my life, it’s a new experience, so I’m very happy for that and I’m looking forward to seeing the stadium and the fans. I’ll try my best as always.”

Rafael Nadal has only ever won one title at an indoor hardcourt event, with that coming all the way back in 2005 in Madrid.

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