Trip to Turin a family affair for Nadal

Rafael Nadal will bid for his first title at the ATP Finals starting on Sunday with his new family making the trip to Turin.

The Spaniard heads the field at the eight-man season wrapup due to the abdominal injury absence of No. 1 compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.

He flew to the northern Italian Fiat metropolis at mid-week with wife Mery and the couple’s month-old son.

As he has done throughout his entire career, Nadal refuses to engage in what-ifs and speculation about how he might perform or who might finish as year–end No. 1 on the ATP.

‘In any case, every year that I continue to compete is a gift for me,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said on Friday.

‘I have played very little in recent months, I think I can have my chance, despite the accumulation of negative things that have happened since Wimbledon,” said the injury-prone Spaniard who has suffered with two instances of a torn abdominal muscle as well as stomach upset in Paris Bercy.

‘I would love to acquire more continuity next year, that’s key for me.”

Nadal said he’s not in Turin to make up the numbers: “‘I’m not going to kid you, if I thought I had no chance of doing something important here, I wouldn’t have come to the tournament.”

“‘I have played very little in recent months, I think I can have my chance, despite the accumulation of negative things that have happened since Wimbledon.

‘I would love to acquire more continuity next year, that’s key for me.

“Winning a game can make everything change radically, no matter how slow it goes. I think I’m well prepared,” Nadal said.

“Logically, it is better to arrive with victories and confidence because I am going to face the best.”,