Nadal first to secure spot at Tour finals
Source: Agencies |
June 11, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RAFAEL Nadal has booked his place at the World Tour finals after winning a record eighth French Open title, the ATP said yesterday.
Nadal has staged a spectacular comeback after being sidelined for seven months with a knee injury from June last year.
Since returning in February, he has reached the final in all of the nine events he has played, winning seven titles, including Indian Wells and the Madrid and Rome Masters Series.
The 27-year-old is fifth in the world rankings, but is first in the race standings that are based on the calendar year's results.
He has already guaranteed a top-eight finish and a place at the end-of-season showpiece event in London.
"Nadal has now qualified for the ATP World Tour finals nine straight years," the ATP said in a statement.
The Spaniard, who has 12 grand slam titles to his name, has never won the Tour finals, with his best performance being a final defeat to Roger Federer in 2010.
Knee injury
Nadal missed last year's event in London due to the knee injury that also forced him out of the London Olympics, the US Open and this year's Australian Open.
He thrashed fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Sunday to become the first player to win the same grand slam eight times.
The World Tour finals will take place in London from November 4 to 11.
Meanwhile, Nadal believes he can finish the year as world No. 1 after dropping to fifth in the rankings yesterday, changing places with Ferrer.
Due to the ATP's 12-month rolling ranking system that awards no points for defending a title, Nadal had nothing to gain for reclaiming the Roland Garros crown he won last year. The 12-time grand slam champion, however, now has almost nothing to lose until the end of the season.
"There are still six months ahead of us," Nadal told reporters.
"I could be No. 1 again if I continue at that level and if I'm not injured. But this is not 100 percent sure."
Nadal has staged a spectacular comeback after being sidelined for seven months with a knee injury from June last year.
Since returning in February, he has reached the final in all of the nine events he has played, winning seven titles, including Indian Wells and the Madrid and Rome Masters Series.
The 27-year-old is fifth in the world rankings, but is first in the race standings that are based on the calendar year's results.
He has already guaranteed a top-eight finish and a place at the end-of-season showpiece event in London.
"Nadal has now qualified for the ATP World Tour finals nine straight years," the ATP said in a statement.
The Spaniard, who has 12 grand slam titles to his name, has never won the Tour finals, with his best performance being a final defeat to Roger Federer in 2010.
Knee injury
Nadal missed last year's event in London due to the knee injury that also forced him out of the London Olympics, the US Open and this year's Australian Open.
He thrashed fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Sunday to become the first player to win the same grand slam eight times.
The World Tour finals will take place in London from November 4 to 11.
Meanwhile, Nadal believes he can finish the year as world No. 1 after dropping to fifth in the rankings yesterday, changing places with Ferrer.
Due to the ATP's 12-month rolling ranking system that awards no points for defending a title, Nadal had nothing to gain for reclaiming the Roland Garros crown he won last year. The 12-time grand slam champion, however, now has almost nothing to lose until the end of the season.
"There are still six months ahead of us," Nadal told reporters.
"I could be No. 1 again if I continue at that level and if I'm not injured. But this is not 100 percent sure."
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