Rafael Nadal described the ATP Finals as the most big tournament in history, and he hopes to win it this year.
The Spaniard Nadal explained that he will give his all to win the ATP Finals, as well as any other tournament in performance.
“It’s always great news to be playing the last event of the year. That says that you had a great season, so I’m excited,” Nadal said.
“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.” Nadal added.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion will face Taylor Fritz on Sunday. Nadal has faced Fritz twice competitively this year.
Nadal has not won the ATP Finals, despite playing two finals in 2010 and 2013. This is the 18th year he has enough points to participate in the tournament for the best eight.
But the indoor hard court is Nadal’s favourite surface. He even won the indoor hard court once, in Madrid in 2005.
Nadal’s form in the second half of this season was affected by injuries and reduced fitness. He lost the fourth round of the US Open, then took a long break to welcome the birth of his son.
The “King of clay” returned at the Paris Masters after recovering from an abdominal muscle injury but lost in the opening match.
Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, sublimated at year-end hard-court events. The Serbian won the Tel Aviv and Astana Open, and then reached the final of the Paris Masters. With an impressive winning streak, Djokovic hopes to equal RogerFederer’s record of six ATP Finals titles.
“Not only me but the other seven are all aiming for this prestigious championship. We are here to compete and I am sure the gap in class is very close.” Djokovic said.