Oct 18, 2024 06:58 AM IST
The match towards Alcaraz was Rafael Nadal’s first since he introduced final week that he could be retiring after taking part in for Spain within the Davis Cup subsequent month.
With a watch on the Davis Cup, Rafael Nadal mentioned he was happy along with his efficiency regardless of shedding 6-3, 6-3 to Carlos Alcaraz on the Six Kings Slam on Thursday.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal waves at followers after shedding his semi last match towards Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (REUTERS)
Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-7 (0), 6-4 within the different semifinal on the exhibition occasion that awards cash however no ATP rating factors and is Saudi Arabia’s newest foray into tennis.
The match towards Alcaraz was Nadal’s first since he introduced final week that he could be retiring after taking part in for Spain within the Davis Cup subsequent month. Nadal and Alcaraz performed doubles collectively on the Paris Video games and will group up once more for the Davis Cup.
“I have the Davis Cup in front (of me) in a month so every day is an opportunity to be better and better and be ready for this final tournament of my tennis career,” Nadal mentioned. “I want to try my best to be ready for that and help the team in some way.”
Thursday’s match was the primary contest for Nadal since his exit on the Paris Olympics in July.
“Carlos was too good. I haven’t been on the competitive stage since a couple months ago,” Nadal mentioned. “So yeah I think it was a good performance, even if it was not enough to play against an animal like him. But it was a positive match for me and I’m happy.”
Nadal will play Djokovic on Saturday in a third-place match earlier than Sinner faces Alcaraz.
The highest-ranked Sinner was cleared in a doping case shortly earlier than profitable final month’s U.S. Open, though the World Anti-Doping Company has appealed that exoneration.
Djokovic and Sinner met for actual on Sunday, when the Italian gained in straight units for the Shanghai Masters title.
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