“Need To Adjust”: Rafael Nadal Gives Gloomy Statements Regarding Chances at ATP Finals 2020

Alexander Zverev breezed past #1 seed Rafael Nadal at the semi-finals of Rolex Paris Masters 2020. Nadal’s worrying run of form on indoor courts continues with this loss, and there is more to look forward to in that aspect as the calendar is nearing the Nitto ATP Finals 2020. What are Nadal’s views on competing in London this year? 

One can generally associate Nadal as a dominant force wherever he competes. Over the years, we’ve seen him win almost every title there is to win in the ATP circuit. However, the year-end ATP finals is one trophy that Nadal has never been able to conquer. 

After facing a 4-6, 5-7, loss to Zverev, Nadal stayed for the post-match interview and delivered a few pointers about the upcoming ATP finals. “I said before have been not a bad tournament. I spent hours on court. Of course, I wanted to win the tournament, but it’s always difficult,” he mentioned. 

Nadal has always been a frequent competitor in the year-end tournament that garners a huge fan following. But the only disappointment that prevails is that he’s never won the hardcourt championship which is held indoors. 

Though the results vary every year, Nadal never changes his process. He enters the round-robin with umpteen confidence, and nothing changes this year as well. 

“To play four matches […] will be helpful for London,” Nadal continued. “I need to adjust a couple of things, but I’m doing well on all the important things, no? I have one week and a little bit more to keep working, and I hope be ready for it.”

Nadal’s followers have been yearning for their hero to conquer the year-end championship at least once. So far he’s failed, but is 2020 the year where he finally gets it done?

Rafael Nadal reacts to his loss against Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev meant business right from the start. His service games were flawless and his first serves were a thing of beauty. In fact, he finished the match with a near-perfect 97% first-serve percentage (58/60), an incredible feat indeed! 

“I was not able to [return], he was serving bombs and hitting the right spots all the time. So I decided to go, like, eight meters behind the baseline later on in the match and I think worked better for me,” said Nadal on facing Zverev’s serve.

The straight-set defeat is certainly a shocking one, but Zverev was absolutely top-class. With this win, he moves to the finals in Paris and looks to add to his title tally in 2020. Moreover, Zverev has now notched up his second tour-level victory against Nadal. 

Alexander Zverev will now face Daniil Medvedev in the finals, an opponent that he’s bettered five times in their previous meetings.