Rafael Nadal ready to make amends at ATP World Tour Finals
The world number one tennis player, Rafael Nadal, could not have wished for anything better than the year 2010, which saw him take three consecutive Grand Slams and regain his number one spot.
Rafael Nadal will return to London on Sunday determined to make amends for one of the lowest points of his career. He has never won the ATP Tour Finals. Last year was particularly harsh as he crashed out of the group stage after losing all three of his matches.
The Spaniard was also severely affected by a recurring knee injury and the separation of his parents. He therefore was mentally and physically ill-prepared to cope with the challenges of the rigorous end of year championships.
Fast forward 12 months and the difference in Nadal’s performance parameters could not have been starker. He will face off Andy Roddick in the first match brimming with confidence, after having crossed a stellar year. The 24 year old Spaniard regained his
number one spot from Roger Federer in a year which saw him win his fifth French Open crown, then follow that by reclaiming his Wimbledon championship which he could not defend in 2009 due to injury, and finally breeze through Flushing Meadows to win his first
ever US Open Grand Slam.
The recent wins have given Rafael Nadal a career Grand Slam, and he would certainly be looking to capitalise on his success in the current year by emulating his performance at the ATP Tour Finals Championships in O2 Arena.
Firmly re-established as tennis’ most dominating force, Rafael Nadal is looking forward to solving some unfinished business in London before refocusing his energies on winning the Australian Open; a feat he achieved last year. Winning the Australian Open
in 2011 would enable Rafael Nadal to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.
Even though Rafael Nadal missed the Paris Masters tournament due to a shoulder injury, he is insistent that he is in peak form as he tries to win an indoor tournament for only the second time in his illustrious career. The prize money for the championships
is a cool five million dollars, but that is hardly what will be on the Spaniard’s mind. Standing between him and the championship are some of the feistiest players on the circuit today.
In the week long round robin matches, Rafael Nadal will have to face off against Novak Djokovic, Robin Soderling, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer.
Roger Federer should represent the biggest threat to Rafael Nadal’s ambitions; however he has been accused by people of not being “hungry enough” this season. His performances have been highly erratic and by his own standards, he has not played up to his
potential. Even though Roger Federer backs himself against any opponent, he has admitted that defeat does not sting him as much as it used to. Perhaps that is because he has proved his worth and mettle to all and sundry but that does not mean that Federer
has given up.
The indoor end of the year championships at O2 Arena will be a litmus test to judge Nadal’s calibre as an all-round player. The carpeted surface has bamboozled many great players and still remains a stumbling block for Nadal as he has only won just one indoor
tournament in his entire career. Despite his opponents’ lack of exemplary statistics, barring Roger Federer, they still represent a huge challenge that has at times proved to be insurmountable. The legendary rivalry of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will be
given a new lease of life starting Sunday, and hopefully the Swiss Maestro will be able to deliver more than his lacklustre performances that have dogged him throughout this year. For now though, Rafael Nadal will be flying high as he braces to make an impact
in London.
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