Rafael Nadal insisted he can still win the ATP Finals for the first time despite a damaging 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/4) defeat against Austria’s Dominic Thiem on Tuesday.
Thiem overpowered Nadal behind closed doors at London’s O2 Arena to put a dent in the Spanish star’s bid to finally lift the one major prize missing from his packed trophy cabinet.
Nadal had beaten Andrey Rublev in straight sets in his first match, but the 34-year-old was unable to cope with Thiem in a high-quality clash.
Now Nadal, who lost the 2010 and 2013 finals of the event, has to beat reigning champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in his last group match to keep alive his hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the prestigious season-ending tournament.
Despite his perilous position, Nadal took heart from the way he competed against the inspired Thiem and believes that will stand him in good stead in the do-or-die showdown with Tsitsipas.