Rafael Nadal: defeat in Paris-Bercy does not preclude ATP Finals

Rafa Nadal already looking ahead to ATP Finals after defeat in Paris-Bercy

It was not the debut Rafael Nadal hoped for. The Spaniard suffered an immediate defeat against Tommy Paul of the United States in the second round match of the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000.

The Spanish tennis player first commented on the defeat in a press conference, “I think there is credit to be given to him, first of all. He played very aggressively and won many points with that tactical plan. After the break in the second set I instead played a very bad game, these things happen. On this surface it’s hard to think about winning if you serve a certain way or if you don’t do things the right way.”

“No doubt a lot has happened in the last few months. But we are always ready to make excuses when in the end the reality is always the same. If you play well, you win. If you play badly, you lose. In some parts of the match I think I played well, but in the most important moments I didn’t do the right things,” Nadal continued.

He then reassured everyone about his participation in the ATP Finals: “If nothing else happens, I don’t see why I shouldn’t play. Although it obviously hasn’t been a perfect few months for me from a tennis standpoint, I still want to play. After such a year, I have nothing to lose. I need to play matches and be or train with the other guys after the last five months I’ve had. I’m not just saying compete, I’m really talking about spending time with them on the circuit and getting used to certain dynamics again. I will try to be there [Turin] a little earlier than usual because obviously I need to train. I want to give myself a chance to enjoy the last event of the season because at my age you never know when it will be the last one. I will fight to return there in the coming years as well.”

“Right now it is hard to imagine I can get there in a good enough shape to think about winning a tournament that I have never won in my entire career. To play your best against the best players in the world you need rhythm and consistency, elements that are not there in my tennis at the moment. The only thing I can do right now is to train well with the guys and give my best on the court hoping that my body and tennis will respond,” concluded the 22-time Slam champion.