Rafael Nadal has distanced himself away from any association with being one of the favorites to win the ATP Finals following his comprehensive win against Stan Wawrinka.
Nadal’s route to this year’s season-end championship has been a roller-coaster experience for the 29-year-old. After slipping down to his lowest ranking in ten years, followed by failing to reach the last four at any Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 2005, Nadal is ending 2015 on a high note. Since last month the Spaniard has reached the final of the Shanghai Masters and the Swiss Indoors. He was able to continue the upsurge in his form with his victory against the French Open champion at the O2 Arena yesterday.
Speaking about his triumphant start to the ATP Finals, the 29-year-old has played down his chances of winning the prestigious event for the first time in his career.
“I won the first match, that’s all”. Nadal said.
“I haven’t won enough this year to think about winning the title”.
The 9-time French Open champion said that the slow surface as well as the tough competition is the reason behind why he doesn’t think that he is one of the favorites. Despite being known by many as ‘the king of clay’, Nadal admitted that he performs well in tournaments with faster surfaces. Due to his frequent success on the clay court surface, many think that Nadal would have preferred slower surfaces.
“I don’t play well on slow surfaces, I play better on fast”. Said Nadal.
“The thing about the hard courts, is that I have had the biggest success on the faster surfaces. Montreal is one of the fastest courts and I have had a lot of success there. Also, when I won the Olympics, it was a very fast court’.
The next match for Nadal will be against second seed Andy Murray. He will be eager to get revenge against the Brit after suffering a crushing defeat in the final of the Madrid Masters earlier this year. Despite that defeat, Nadal does have a positive head-to-head against the world No.2 of 15-6. Looking ahead to his 22nd clash against Murray, Nadal said that he was ‘excited’ about the prospect.
“It is an opportunity for me to play against the world no. 2 in the world, a player who has had a great season, a fantastic player on every surface, especially this one”. The 29-year-old said.
“I am excited to play the match. I only see this match as an opportunity to play against him and hopefully play a good match’.
Nadal also said that his performance this week is important for the start of the 2016 season. He is hoping to end the year with a confidence boost as he bids to claim his 15th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.
“”If I am able to play well here. I think it would be great news because it enables me to start next year with positive feelings, which is my main goal”. He concluded.
Nadal is scheduled to play Murray at the O2 Arena on Wednesday afternoon at 14:00 CMT.
