Roger Federer saddened by the absence of Rafael Nadal in ATP tour finals – Tennis News
Showdown of Top-8 players in the world of men tennis has begun at the most prestigious lawn tennis arena, O2 London. However, there is one major difference this year that has left the crowd dejected but nothing can be done to fix
it. It is the non-participation of the fourth ranked Spanish hero, Rafael Nadal, who is suffering from a chronic knee injury ever since his second round exit from the Wimbledon Championships in June. He hasn’t recovered from the problem that has troubled the
Seven-time French Open Champion throughout his career.
World number two, Roger Federer, finally took some time out from his busy schedule and talked about the absence of his arch rival from the Association of Tennis Professionals year-end finale in London. Federer stated in a press
conference, “Once a tournament starts, you do unfortunately forget what's happening around you. You do forget those things a little bit. Knowing that maybe the draw is potentially a little easier, there is no denying that because Rafa is a great champion and
I'm sure that he is missed by a lot of the fans, which would have made this tournament maybe even more exciting, but then it gives opportunities to one or two more guys.
He added, “It's obviously never the same when Rafa doesn't enter a tournament, but from time to time injuries just do happen, and we all wish him the best so he can return next year." It is absolutely crystal clear that everyone
has suffered from the absence of Nadal and no one can fill the place of the left-handed Spanish superhero. He has such a sublime technique and stupendous stamina that takes the game of tennis to another level. Hence, his nonexistence at the tennis circuit
for the past five months has lowered the competition levels for sure.
The Mallorcan native hasn’t missed any year-end Championship for the past three years. It is a rare season that will not witness the reigning French Open Champion at the indoor hard courts of London. Federer who is defending the
title for the second straight year and looking to register a hat-trick and take his total ATP year-end trophies tally to seven. It might be easier for him to repeat the heroics with the absence of Nadal but he would have liked a better competition than a relatively
easier squad to battle against at the O2 arena in London.
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