Tennis legend thinks Rafael Nadal has good chances at the 2020 Nitto ATP Finals

Tennis legend thinks Rafael Nadal has good chances at the 2020 Nitto ATP Finals
Rafael Nadal during the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals

The 2020 edition of the Nitto ATP Finals is set to get underway soon in London. The elite event features the top eight players from the ATP Tour including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Dominic Thiem. Regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments in the tour, it traditionally signifies the end of each ATP season.

2020 will be the last year that the ATP Finals are being held at the O2 Arena in London; the venue will be shifted to Turin in 2021.

Nadal still got a very good chance: Henman

Rafael Nadal will be coming to London after a semi final defeat to Alexander Zverev in the Paris Masters

Recently, tennis legend Tim Henman spoke to Metro about the competitors’ chances at the Nitto ATP Finals. Apart from the usual standouts like Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev, he also talked about Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard has historically struggled in indoors, and has never won the ATP Finals.

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While he has finished runner-up on two occasions, nagging late-season injuries and general struggles on the surface have prevented him from performing at his best here.

Henman is a retired player who was the first British male to reach the semis at Wimbledon since the 1970s. On Nadal’s struggles, he acknowledged his poor form indoors, saying, “When you set the bar so high, when you look at his record indoors and sort of say, ‘Oh, it’s not too good.’ “

He didn’t count out the 20-time Grand Slam champion, however, continuing, “But he’s won a Masters series indoors, he’s been in the final of the ATP Finals on two occasions, I think. He’s still got a very good chance.”

Rafael Nadal last participated at the Rolex Paris Masters, another indoor hard court event. He reached the semifinals but was defeated in straight sets by Alexander Zverev. Zverev, the world no. 7, is also competing at the ATP Finals; he won the title in 2018.

Henman recognized that Nadal isn’t the top contender this time around in London but still has some chances. He said, “I don’t think he’s the favorite this coming tournament but he’ll still fancy his chances if he’s fit and healthy.”

Beginning on the 15th of November, the event will also feature the Paris Masters winner Daniil Medvedev, Diego Schwartzman, and defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Also read: Tim Henman pushes back from taking part in ATP Cup 2021