Nadal: “I would sign to be very tired and reach the final”

Rafael Nadal returned to the semifinals five years later in the ATP Finals after beating Tsitsipas, who is still the current champion but will not be able to defend the title. “I played very well for a long time and had a bad game at 5-4 of the second. I lost him and then I started with break and he countered. Then everything started to change because I started to get better after some bad services. It was a very positive game for me, because it means being in the semifinals in the last tournament of the season, something important and that makes me happy, “said the Spaniard.

Nadal last year also won two games in this phase and was nevertheless eliminated. It is the only major tournament missing from his record. “I have won two games again like last year, when I was unlucky and was eliminated. It is always difficult to play here against the best in the world every day, at the end of the course, when we arrive a little tired. But this year is different. The situation is a shame, because here the atmosphere is always fantastic after every game. It is sad to say goodbye to this site in these conditions that affect everyone. I hope to be prepared to give my best ”, he concluded after his victory.

On the possible schedule of the semifinal against Medvedev and the possibility that he will play at 21:00 (not confirmed), Nadal did not object: “It all depends. If it is a very long battle, the player who wins obviously you will notice the fatigue and the time to finish will be late. It can make you more tired at the end. But it is that someone has to play at that time and there are no reasons for complaints. I do not know if it will be my turn, it seems so, but no problem. He would sign being very tired and go to the final “.

Regarding his level of play in the Finals, he does not think it is the highest of his indoor career: “Last year I played a great Davis Cup in these conditions. I have adapted very well to the surface and indoors. Last year I also played very well here. It is true that I have very good feelings, but I've played well before, even if I haven't managed to win. I know that I have done very good things these days and I have taken steps forward. I have another day to improve before the semi-final. “Delving into this idea, Nadal repeated what he said after losing to Thiem: “I feel that I am better prepared and with more options to do something important. The feelings I had that day were confirmed and now a normal tournament is coming, against a very difficult opponent, with the utmost enthusiasm and respect”,