Nadal after losing to Fritz: Nitto ATP Finals “not the ideal tournament” for a comeback

The Nitto ATP Finals have not been kind to Rafael Nadal throughout his career. For the 22-time Grand Slam champion, a title at the year-end championship is the most glaring absence on his otherwise near-flawless tennis resume. In 10 appearances (not including the current one), Nadal has reached the final only twice — finishing runner-up to Roger Federer in 2010 and to Novak Djokovic in 2013.

If the 36-year-old wants to finally lift the trophy in 2022, he will have to make an extreme turnaround following his round-robin loss to Taylor Fritz on Sunday night. With a decent opportunity to advance in a Green Group that is decidedly weaker on paper than the Red Group, Nadal went down 7-6(3), 6-1 after one hour and 37 minutes.

Nadal: “I need more matches.”

It wasn’t a particularly surprising result given the Spaniard’s less-than-ideal preparation. Due to an abdominal injury, Nadal played only one match in between the US Open and the Nitto ATP Finals (lost it to Tommy Paul in three sets at the Paris Masters).

“I need more matches to play at this kind of level,” the world No 2 said, “even if I am practicing well — much better than how I am competing, without a doubt. That’s normal. At the end (this) is not the ideal tournament and probably (the) part of the season to come back after a couple of months without being on the tour, because you don’t have time to get confidence.

“In the beginning you have very tough opponent in front (of you), on a surface that very small details make the difference. These small details probably goes the way the player who [has] better confidence. That was not my case last couple of matches, and that’s it. (I have to) accept, keep working; that’s the only way. I know I am practicing well and with the right attitude and doing the right things, (but) in the matches I [am not improving].

“In this tournament I still have a chance. But of course (I’m) not happy about the beginning.”

Auger-Aliassime next for Nadal

Facing a top-10 player is tough enough when short on confidence, and things won’t get any easier for Nadal with world No 6 and Florence, Antwerp, and Basel champion Felix Auger-Aliassime next up for him on Tuesday.

“Every single time I came back from injury, [it doesn’t] happen that way playing against top players since the first day. That’s what’s happening when you are coming back, playing Masters 1000s and World Tour Finals. Normally when you come back from injuries or time outside of the competition, it’s (a) much better chance to raise your level because your level is raising when you are winning matches. Especially you need matches when you are off the tour for a while.

“Normally I try to come back in lower events. Normally you don’t need to play at your top to win couple of matches. Then if you make that happen, when you face the top players, you are more ready.”

Nadal does not have that luxury at this tournament, and his semifinal hopes will be on life support when he faces Auger-Aliassime.

“It’s a match like a normal tournament already, because the loser will (probably) go out of the tournament,” Nadal commented. “(I have to) just accept that I need to do better things. I hope to be ready to make that happen.

“[Felix is finishing] the season playing unbelievable, winning (three) tournaments in a row, playing so well. (It’s) another big challenge.”

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