Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts during his first group stage match against Taylor Fritz of the US at the ATP Finals tennis tournament on November 13, 2022 in Turin. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
Rafael Nadal said he was slow and tired from a disastrous start to winning the ATP Finals title for the first time after a 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 loss to Taylor Fritz on Sunday. .
“The time has come,” said the 36-year-old. “I have less time than him to do what I want to do with the ball. I felt that everything happened too quickly.”
The year-end final is the only major title missing from tennis icon Nadal’s list of honors but his consecutive losses mean he will struggle to get out of the round robin stage. .
He probably needs to win both of his remaining games against Blue Team rivals Casper Ruud and Felix Auger-Aliassime if he is to reach the semi-finals.
Nadal, who has not competed since the US Open in September, said he is struggling to find his best form following recent injuries.
“Normally, I try to come back in the lower matches,” said Nadal. “Normally you don’t have to be at the top to win a couple of games. Then if you make it happen, when you face top players, you’re more than ready.”
Nadal said he struggled with Fritz’s aggression and the speed of the court.
“In most points of the game, I was defensive and he was offensive. That’s what happened. It’s something that I find very hard to avoid because you need to be quicker on your feet, faster in the mind.”
“That’s what’s happening when you come back,” he said.
“On a pitch like this, you need to play well. You don’t have time to think”.
Fritz, who reached the final for the first time in his career after replacing injured world number one Carlos Alcaraz, gave Nadal a grueling time with some fierce tackles.
“I did very well, defended my serve, kept my serve and I did very well in the break,” Fritz told the court.
“Once I get over that, I just want to do the same thing I did in the second set, defend my serve and take advantage of the breaks when I get them.”
Nadal said he was outplayed in the second set.
“In the final stages, Fritz played very well. I couldn’t handle his strength,” Nadal said.
“Serve like Fritz served, then you’re under pressure all the time,” said Nadal.
“When someone is serving the ball that way, on the contrary, he will do every shot. As long as he plays well. “
Ruud was also the straight set winner against Auger-Alissime, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, in the other singles competition of the day. The Norwegian is behind Fritz in the standings with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
The world No 4 went through a not-so-attractive encounter for an hour and 51 minutes after winning the one and only chance to break the serve of Canadian Auger-Aliassime in game seven of the second set. .
Then, this season’s Roland Garros and US Open finalist hit the rest of the set to win.
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