Tennis
Rafael Nadal retired early from the ATP Finals in Turin. The top seeded Spaniard lost to Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 3:6 4:6 on Tuesday and will therefore not win the season finale of the eight best tennis players this year either. Since the Norwegian Casper Ruud won the evening game against Taylor Fritz (USA) 6:3 4:6 7:6 (8/6), Nadal no longer has a chance of a top two place in the green group.
“I don’t think I’ve forgotten how to play tennis and how to be mentally strong,” Nadal said. The 36-year-old will not triumph at the ATP finals even when he participates eleventh. At the moment he lacks self-confidence. He himself does not know exactly whether he will reach his absolute top level again, “but I have no doubt that I would die for it”.
In his opening game against Fritz, Nadal, second in the world rankings, had to admit defeat in two sets. His Thursday match against Ruud, who is the first semifinalist after his second win, is meaningless for promotion. Fritz and Auger-Aliassime make up for this in a direct duel.
Two breaks are enough for Auger-Aliassime to win
In an initially hard-fought first set, Auger-Aliassime managed the decisive break to make it 5:3. As a result, the 22-year-old Canadian served confidently, Nadal was unable to use any of his four break chances. In the second set, Auger-Aliassime made an early break, then didn’t let anything burn and used his first match ball after 1:57 hours. The sixth in the world rankings, who is currently being trained by Nadal’s uncle and long-time coach Toni Nadal, celebrated his first success over the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
Nadal also loses to Auger-Aliassime
Next setback for Grand Slam record champion Rafael Nadal at the ATP finals in Turin: The top seeded Spaniard concedes his second defeat against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Nadal lost four matches in a row on the ATP tour for the first time since 2009. With the end of the group phase, it is now certain that the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who is absent in Italy due to injury, will end the year as number one. The 19-year-old US Open winner is the youngest year-end world number one since the ATP ranking was introduced in 1973.
For Auger-Aliassime, Nadal is still “a champion”. “He’s still here at 36, fighting guys in their 20s. He’s full of energy, moves well and serves well,” enthused the 22-year-old about his idol.
ATP-Finals in Turin
(Italien, 14.750.000 Dollar, Hardcourt/Indoor)