“Rublev is the fittest player”

Rafael Nadal spoke at a press conference about his rival this Sunday in the London ATP Finals Y defined Russian Andrey Rublev as “the fittest player” right now. The Spanish, No. 2 in the world, faces a special contest, which he could never conquer, and will start against that rival, an absolute debutant.

The owner of 13 crowns at Roland Garros, who was the first of the eight London Masters to enter the press room, qualified his rivals in the group stage and noted that Rublev is the one who has won the most tournaments this year, with a total of five wound, and which represents a “very difficult” start to the tournament.

“Rublev is the most fit player. The one who has won the most tournaments throughout the year. He has won many playing very little. It is a very difficult start. He has a lot of projection,” he said about the opponent he will face this Sunday.

“Thiem is having a great year and Tsitsipas too. It’s a tough group, but we can’t expect anything else because this is the Masters,” Nadal added about his other two rivals in the London 2020 Group.

The Spanish also spoke about his numbers in ‘indoor’, the surface that has historically been the worst and on which he has never achieved the masters tournament. “We can find excuses but the numbers are what they are. I also think that I have played fewer indoor tournaments than on other courts, although it is true that it has not been the best surface for my tennis. I hope to change that this week,” he added .

On the bubble that tennis players inhabit near the O2 Arena, Nadal was grateful to be able to play the tournament. “Conditions are different. We are very lucky that we can continue to play this sport. I can only thank everyone involved for the difficult conditions we are experiencing. We cannot complain,” he said.

Asked if this is the best year for the tournament, Nadal said that it is something he has heard many times. “I do not know. I neither agree nor disagree. They are only words and have to be translated into facts. People who give their opinions many times do not know very well what my state is. Perhaps last year I was the best. For now, the preparation is being the best possible. “

Lastly, Nadal confirmed that playing at Paris-Bercy, where he reached the semifinals and here in London, will not affect his preparation for the next Australian Open.