Like Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on Thursday night, Rafael Nadal faces a must-win situation at the Nitto ATP Finals when he takes the court against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday afternoon.
Nadal remains in dire straits despite staging a miracle comeback from being down 1-5, 30-40 in the third set against Daniil Medvedev in his second round-robin match. The Spaniard ended up prevailing 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-6(4) to keep alive his semifinal hopes, which looked close to zero following a 6-2, 6-4 blowout loss to Alexander Zverev and looked all the way at zero in the final set against Medvedev.
Tsitsipas, on the other hand, is already through to the semis thanks to straight-set victories over Medvedev and Zverev. The only way in which the 21-year-old would not win Group A is if he loses to Nadal and Medvedev beats Zverev in the nightcap. Those results would leave Nadal at No. 1 and Tsitsipas at No. 2. In any other scenario, Tsitsipas would win the group and either Medvedev or Zverev would finish second.
“It’s really good to know that I’ll be playing in the semifinals,” the world No. 6 said, “but I’ve got to concentrate, keep going the way I have been doing things the last couple of days. My last encounter in groups against Rafa; I am aware that he’s a difficult opponent to face. I’m sure this match is going to mean a lot to him for a chance for him to make it to the semifinals, as well.
“So I’m going to give it my all; I’m going to try to give my soul. I think it’s also a very good challenge for me in order to prepare for more difficult matches in the semifinals and the finals potentially, so this match is going to give me a lot.”
“I really hope that I can play better,” Nadal admitted following his escape against Medvedev. “I [was] better than [against Zverev], of course. I [was] playing a better level of tennis than the first day. [Winning] this match [was] a combination of a lot of things: lucky, some mistakes of Daniil, some good moments of myself at the end.
“But in general terms, knowing that I was not able to practice the way that I would like before the tournament, (to) be able to increase the level since two days ago to today like this is a very positive thing and I’m very happy with this.”
The world No. 1 may have to improve even more to beat Tsitsipas, who is the only undefeated player remaining in London. But it’s almost impossible to predict what kind of performance the Greek will bring to the table. He may not to want to expend too much energy prior to the semis and a loss could actually be a good thing in that it would give him a chance to face Dominic Thiem instead of the Djokovic-Federer winner. That being said, Tsitsipas has always been inspired and even thrived against the Big 3, so he could do it again–especially on a favorable surface with Nadal on the other side of the net.
If Tsitsipas loses either the first or second set, though, it would not be shocking to see him go away quietly like Thiem did in a meaningless match against Matteo Berrettini on Thursday.
Pick: Tsitsipas in 2
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How will Rafa face fed tomm after playing such long matches…
If Rafa makes it ..how many games will he win ..I just don’t see him beating roger at all after such a brutal match
Rem 2010 .very long semi Vs Andy n then lost to roger in final
A decade ago. Rafa doesn’t ruminate over stuff like that does he? I say advantage Rafa. If Fed wins I will be happy for the fed fans, even the ones that hate Nole. And Fed will make me look stupid for picking against him. Nothing new. But I cheer for Rafa this time. Younger guys have years left to win the WTF trophy.
We cheer for Rafa too..i.know Rafa will fight but i just don’t see him beating Roger tomorrow esp after such long matches unless he is just destined for this.
Sanju, if Rafa reaches the SF, I think physically he’ll be ok because Fed right now would also want to finish his match quickly; he therefore will not let the match drag on the way Tsitsipas does. He’s also not that young anymore compared to 2010.
Tsitsipas is not doing himself any favor by going all out to want to beat Rafa desperately, unlike Thiem who’s wiser not to over exert himself against Berrettini. If Rafa qualifies then Tsitsipas will have to play against Thiem, and it’ll be a physical battle which I feel Tsitsipas may pay the price for what he does today.
Lucky. It’s not about length of rafas match. Fed will want it done quickly n may wrap it up too soon being ultra aggressive
Finally, Rafa wins the match, phew!
Tsitsipas couldn’t generate a single BP chance, despite Rafa not having a big serve, that shows how good Rafa is ( and how hard Rafa has to work), to win points in his own service games to not to give Tsitsipas any chances to break him.
Rafa otoh could generate 9 BP chances but could only take two of them, all thanks to Tsitsipas’s great serving.
Thankfully Rafa wins this match and then they presented him his YE no.1 trophy, it’ll not feel as great receiving it after a loss.
Fed has done his part to help Rafa; Rafa has done enough to help himself, let’s see whether Medvedev can do something to help Rafa later on. In any case, Rafa will have his 200 points to pull further away from Djoko, and one more win this season after this match.
Tsitsipas plays very well but couldn’t keep up with Rafa’s intensity under pressure. I think indoor quick HCs may be another surface (other than clay) that Tsitsipas may do very well in future.
Tsitsipas is very good indeed. And so is Dominic Thiem, Medvedev and hopefully Sascha will find his way back to winning.
For now though. This is all about Rafa.
PS Hope Nole’s gets his problem fixed and wins AO again. Please Nole, do whatever it takes ❤️ I miss you.
Consider eating some lean meat or seafood, Nole. You need strength and power.
Nole will be back rc!! He will be the fave at AO. Do you think he is too weak physically now? He has won 2 slams this last year afterall..he is very fit…
Elizabeth…frankly Nole has put on a bit compared to what he looked last year
Yes, I agree he does not look his skinniest. But he’s not powerful or strong enough. He’s still feeling something in his right arm, is what I think. He needs to fix his trouble.
Andy Murray will be a welcomed relief if he can get back to winning big. Big four was always a better mix at the top, imo.
A post or two of mine explaining more about Novak did not make it through.
Yes, I think he’s too weak – mentally and physically. Physically he’s still having some issue with some part of his right arm. He can’t go full gas when he has to. He did last Wimbledon but he made whatever was hurting worse. It got better – Paris was encouraging. But he’s not at his best. Maybe he never will be again. He’ll be stuck at 16 GS and all the haters will be satisfied. 16 GS is certainly great but I feel he needs more for him to be even partially recognized by those who hate him. 🙁 Grumpy Frog.
Rafa didn’t face a single break point over 3 hours when not playing his best! That’s impressive!
I really don’t mind if Roger wins tomorrow to be honest. I mean Rafa needs to rest and rejuvenate for AO 20!! This is where i have invested all my hopes!! I want him to be fit, healthy and ready, and t finally win this damn thing again!! And now that he is #1 that’s cherry on the cake! WTF, meh, I really don’t care!
VAMOS!!
I don’t think Rafa will beat Roger because of where their games are atm. Rafa is not able to play his ‘A’ game as he is still rusty so I’m not too excited about the match.
Yeah! Exactly, and Rafa knows better to beat Fed after he did him such a huge favour, lol!
Rafa willed to win ! Good part is he is not injured like last 2 seasons. And he wins against two very good next-gen players on his least favority surface after a bad loss against Zverev when he had all sorts of question marks coming into the tourney.
I wont mind if he ends his season here. Its one of the best of his career from Barcelona to WTF with 2 majors to top off. He has been so very good in last 7 tourneys. He is like 800 points adrift from Djoker and for sure he is going to have no. 1 ranking for quite some time, possibly till Rome.
@97InThe5th Jun 10
Rafa Nadal will become the only player in history, male or female, to be World No.1 in three different decades.
WOW!
Rafa made a ton of records for being the youngest to achieve something. Now he is making records for being the oldest! He is amazing…!😀
https://twitter.com/owlproduction67/status/1195390668149014532
Erik Jonsson
@erktennis
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This year is the lowest amount of tour clay points Nadal has accumulated but still finished YE #1
9-7 in the 5th
@97InThe5th
8h8 hours ago
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Good morning pundits, tennis wise, doubters, haters…
➖Most Weeks as No.1 after turning 30
➖Most Year-End No.1 after turning 30
➖Most Grand Slam titles after turning 30
9-7 in the 5th
@97InThe5th
22h22 hours ago
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📊 Oldest Year-End No.1
33y 5m 🇪🇸 RAFA
31y 7m 🇷🇸 Djokovic
31y 6m 🇪🇸 RAFA
29y 9m 🇨🇿🇺🇸 Lendl
29y 8m 🇺🇸 Agassi
29y 7m 🇬🇧 Murray
28y 6m 🇷🇸 Djokovic
28y 4m 🇨🇭 Federer
exactly!
9-7 in the 5th
@97InThe5th
22h22 hours ago
More
📊 Oldest Year-End No.1
33y 5m 🇪🇸 RAFA
31y 7m 🇷🇸 Djokovic
31y 6m 🇪🇸 RAFA
29y 9m 🇨🇿🇺🇸 Lendl
29y 8m 🇺🇸 Agassi
29y 7m 🇬🇧 Murray
28y 6m 🇷🇸 Djokovic
28y 4m 🇨🇭 Federer
Good morning pundits, tennis wise, doubters, haters…
➖Most Weeks as No.1 after turning 30
➖Most Year-End No.1 after turning 30
➖Most Grand Slam titles after turning 30
Really? Only Rafa!!!
Just saw the highlights…rafas fh was leaking so many errors …
If rafas season stops here or he loses in SF. Is 9585 the lowest year ending total for a no 1 in past 10 years ..ofcourse Rafa played very less .but not crossing 10k for a no 1 is somehow unheard of right
Isn’t Rafa at 9985 as per https://live-tennis.eu/en/atp-live-ranking
Ok sorry 9985 but never seen a ye no 1 being below 10k. Zverev seems to be ahead in match…so looks like that’s where Rafa will stop..
sanju it’s because Rafa, Novak and Roger have cut down on their schedule but they have still ended the year as 1, 2 & 3.
Nah, Djoko was at 9045 last season as YE no. 1, even lower than Rafa’s this season at 9985, go check the stats. So, Djoko really ‘steal’ the no. 1 ranking from Rafa last year when Rafa was injured and skipped the whole Asian and indoor events.
No, Djoko got 9045 points last year as YE no.1, worse than Rafa this year; you’re always so negative where Rafa is concerned! The Djoko fans never criticise Djoko for being no.1 with only 9045 points. Who cares how many points one has to get to no.1, when what matters is to get to no.1!
I agree with you luckystar completely. It’s getting ridiculous honestly and I say that respectfully.
Nadal wins the US open, everybody and their brother is talking about how awesome medvedev is and he’s the best thing since sliced bread and incidentally the great medvedev coudnt win a single match in the WTF. Ofcourse there will be an excuse for that, he’s tired from winning everything but if it was rafa-cue the criticisms with zero excuses.
Nadal wins French open, they talk about how thiem is great and actually got closer this time and by next time he will win plus rafa is just a clay court specialist so nothing new in him winning on clay.
Nadal becomes year end world no.1 He has less points than any year end world no.1 ever.
The negativity is getting ridiculous. If it was djokovic or federer, they will be praised to high heaven but rafa will have a certain level of underappreciation and criticism hurled at him.
What rafa achieved this year is incredible and very inspiring. He is a wonder, PERIOD. His MIND is his greatest asset and a global priceless treasure. He is such an inspiration. Steve tignor sums it up perfectly below and with that i rest my case:
https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2019/11/rafael-nadal-stefanos-tsitsipas-nitto-atp-finals-round-robin-london/85989/
Rafa out ..too bad…wtf will forever be jinxed…fed wins 2 matches goes through .Rafa wins 2..is out..
Fed is the clear fav now . Tsitsi I think has no chance ..Thiem outside chance
Also, it reflects badly on the rest of the field, that Rafa playing so few events, yet he’s still able to be YE no. 1 with 9,985 points.
Damnt it the wtf is such a bugbear of a tournament for Rafa. He will either run into an on fire djoko/fed when fit, be injured and forced to skip or be forced out through a permutation despite winning two matches
Good part is that he has enough rest for the new season
Rafa did the best he could. He finished in a winning note. This silly tournament with its round robin and countless scenarios, has never been my favorite.
Rafa did what he could after getting that freak abdominal injury in Paris. Things have to go perfectly for him in this tournament. He came in rusty without enough practice and that hurt him in his first match.
It is what it is. The key for me is that Rafa ends this season in good shape. As long as he can be ready for the 2020 AO.
Rafa has the considerable consolation of being year end #1 and I choose to focus on that. I also could honestly care less how many points he ended up with this year. His results show that he deserved it.
No justice, you can win and be out, stupid tournament ….
Well, he didn’t win against against Zverev, which is the problem. It’s a gift that you get a second chance if you lose a match, but it’s not a guarantee. What I want to know is if Zverev got advance because he beat Rafa, or if it was because he lost fewer sets than Rafa through round robin.
Lost fewer sets.
All three of Rafa, Tsitsipas and Sasha had each won 2 matches with Rafa beating Tsitsipas, Tsitsipas beating Sasha and Sasha beating Rafa. So it all came down to sets won and lost – Rafa lost out to both as he had won 4 sets and lost 4 sets, whilst Tsitsipas had won 5 sets and lost 2 sets (so he’s no. 1 in the group) and Sasha had won 4 sets and lost 2 sets so he finished as no. 2 in the group.
https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2019/11/rafael-nadal-stefanos-tsitsipas-nitto-atp-finals-round-robin-london/85989/
Great article by tignor and very apt.
Rafa …rest and have a great 2020..bigger fish to fry next year n get the slam record
Kevin i know all about the format, just dont like it , never have, never will, other posters that do, then each to their own, their perogative, prefer the GS , no second chances, win your in , lose your out, simple as that ….
Alison,
I agree with you all the way! I know the format quite well after all these years. But as you said I have never liked it. The whole thing is silly. I hate round robin. It feels so artificial. So you lose and get a second chance to lose by the number of sets won and lost. Big deal!
I like playing and if you lose then you are out.