On the steps of the Gallerie d’Italia, inside the majestic Piazza San Carlo, Rafael Nadal says that his son, born last October, is with him in Turin, where from next Sunday he will play the Nitto ATP Finals for the eleventh time.
The Spaniard, who has the opportunity to finish the year as No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the sixth time in his career, is looking for the only major title he lacks, and that would put the finishing touch to an unforgettable season.
“I arrived without rhythm, but in Paris I was playing well, winning sets and breaks against a good player like Tommy Paul,” the World No. 2, who fell to first at the Rolex Paris Masters, told ATPTour.com. “I am happy because I have been able to train and I come with the illusion of doing well.
If I didn’t think I had options to fight for what I came for, I wouldn’t be here. I think I have my chances.” After spending several weeks without playing, Nadal returned to competition at the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy, saying goodbye in his debut against the American Paul in three sets, with an evident feeling of exhaustion.
“Nothing important happened to me,” the Spaniard confessed. “A long time without competing. I had a little stomach trouble. I was nauseous at the end of the third set, I felt horrible, but I didn’t say anything because it didn’t give room,” he added.
“I’m fine. One bad day and then I was able to go back to training normally with no problems”. “It is evident that in the last five months I have played very little”, continued the champion of 22 Grand Slam tournaments.”
Rafa had a great season
Passing through a press conference this Friday on the occasion of the media day two days before his entry into the running at the Turin Masters, Rafael Nadal returned to his defeat against Tommy Paul, in the second round of the Masters 1000 of Betting last week (6−3, 6–7(4), 1–6).
And the Spaniard revealed in particular that he had vomited at the end of the final round because of a stomach problem. “The truth is that I hadn’t competed in a long time and had a little stomach problem, nothing more.
I started vomiting at the end of the third set, I had a stomach ache, nothing more. That’s why I didn’t say anything either. There was no room for that and I’m fine. A bad day and then back to training.”
