Rafael Nadal unsure on ATP Finals: ‘I will try’

Rafael Nadal is not optimistic about his chances at the ATP Finals but says he will fight to compete in Turin.  

The 22-time Major champion looked tired in his 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 defeat to world number 31 Tommy Paul at the Paris Masters. After playing 34 matches in the first five months of the year, Nadal has played just 11 times from Wimbledon at the end of June to Paris this week.

“At the end, I need days on the tour,” he said after his loss in Paris. “It’s true that for the last five months I didn’t spend enough days on the tour. I don’t even say competing on a tennis court; I say on the tour, practising with the guys. That’s what I need.”

The match was a first for Rafael Nadal since becoming a father. Given the circumstances for the Spaniard off court and his demeanour on court, doubt has arisen as to whether he will play the ATP Finals.

But the world number two assured fans he will do what he can to take to the court in Turin.

“I am going to try,” he continued. “If nothing happens, if I am feeling OK, to be there a little bit earlier than usual and have some practices.

“Just give myself a chance to enjoy another Finals. You never know when is going to be the last, especially at my age.

“So I’m going to give my best to enjoy this one, and then next years of course I’m going to fight to be back there.”

The ATP Finals is the biggest title that Nadal is yet to win in his career. He reached the final in 2010 and 2013, losing to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic respectively on those occasions.

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