“In my opinion, Nadal will (play Turin), because he’s never won the ATP Finals” – Gaudenzi

Rafael Nadal‘s end-of-season schedule remains up in the air given the difficult season he has endured as he added a 21st and 22nd Grand Slam title and the fact that he reportedly became a first-time father a few days ago.

The Spaniard had admitted earlier that he was not sure when he would play next although he remains entered in the Paris Masters and has qualified for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.

But while everyone’s playing the guessing game right now, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi opines that the world No 2 will make the trip to Turin in an attempt to win the one major title missing from his resume.

“I know it’s an event Nadal would like to win at all costs because it’s the only important title missing in his prize list – Gaudenzi

Nadal has played the season-ending event 10 times in his career (missing it on seven other occasions) and his best finish has been a runner-up twice. Gaudenzi, a former ATP pro, feels Nadal will play in Turin this year to attempt to win the season finale for the first time in his career.

“I don’t know. I hope he’ll come,” Gaudenzi responded when asked if he thought Nadal would be in Turin. “In my opinion he will, because he’s never won the ATP Finals. He’s won everything else, but is still to secure an ATP Finals (title). He has always complained about the fact it’s played on hardcourt and not on clay. He’s got a point, but it’s quite inevitable considering the scheduling. Anyway, I know it’s an event he would like to win at all costs because it’s the only important title missing in his prize list.”

Meanwhile, Nadal has returned to practice at his academy in Spain days after the local media reported that his wife had given birth to a son. There is still no official word from the Nadal camp on the birth of the baby.

Even if Nadal does not play in Turin, he will play a series of exhibition matches in Latin America against Casper Ruud during the off-season, with matches slated for six countries. The Spaniard is also scheduled to play an exhibition event in the Middle East in December.

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