Nadal is out of Finals but ends the year as World No.1

RAFAEL Nadal missed out on a blockbuster semi-final with Roger Federer despite roaring to his second comeback win of the week at the ATP Finals.

Nadal came from a set down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (4) 6-4 7-5 in a two-hour 52-minute marathon at London’s 02.

But it was not enough to set up a mouthwatering clash between the two great rivals, Nadal’s opening round-robin match defeat by Alexander Zverev ultimately proving his undoing.

Nevertheless, the 33-year-old got a trophy for his troubles, crowned the yearend World No.1, and the eldest man to do it, after Federer’s win over Novak Djokovic meant he could not be caught.

Nadal, who won the French and US Opens, said: “I think this trophy is the work of the whole year, a great year in all terms. To have this trophy with me is a big personal satisfaction.

“I think we did a lot of things well during the whole year. Of course the team and the famiNadal ly played a very important role this year, even more than other times because there have been some tough moments at the beginning of the season in terms of physical issues that demoralised me a little bit.

“I’m super happy for everything, honestly. To have this trophy with me, with this big gap between the first time until today, 11 years, is a big thing.

“It’s something difficult, because 11 years since the first time until the fifth is a big number.”

Those five year-end topranked finishes moved Nadal level with the achievements of Djokovic, Federer and Jimmy Connors.

“Of course it’s important to share five years each with Novak and with Roger,” added Nadal, who but for injuries could have already overhauled Pete Sampras’ record of six.

“I cannot complain, but at some point I feel that there is a couple of years out there that I have been in a position that I had big chances to be the year No.1 and I got injured, a long injury.

“So to have the chance to equal both of them after missing a couple of years means a lot. It’s a great achievement.”

Taste of victory: Rafa Nadal celebrates with the trophy for ending the year as World No.1

was left relying on Daniil Medvedev beating defending champion Zverev (left) if he was to make the last-four, a big ask considering the Spaniard’s win a few hours earlier had essentially knocked the Russian out, leaving him with only pride to play for.

Medvedev’s midweek collapse against Nadal, from 5-1 up and with match point in the deciding set, will be one of the enduring memories from the week.

The 23-year-old put up a decent showing against Zverev, but

the German has designs on retaining his title and ran out 6-4 7-6 (4) winner.

Zverev will now face Dominic Thiem in today’s second semi-final, after Tsitsipas takes on Federer, who will be bidding for a seventh title.

Meanwhile, Tim Henman has been confirmed as Great Britain captain for next year’s inaugural ATP Cup.

The former World No.4 was put forward for the role by Andy Murray and will lead the team at the new 24-nation event in Australia

in January.

Henman (45) said: “I’m really excited to be a part of it and Andy asked me about it. There are lots of reasons why I accepted and I think one of the reasons is Andy. I have had a great relationship with him for a long time.”

The British team will consist of Andy and Jamie Murray, Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie and Joe Salisbury.

Britain will play in Sydney and have been drawn to face Bulgaria, Belgium and Moldova.