#5. Rafael Nadal- World Tour Finals
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The King of Clay might not be the same player he was a few years back but just looking at his numbers is enough to say why he is regarded to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
Known for his aggressive baseline play, and athleticism around the court, Nadal has won almost everything throughout his professional career, having won a total of 69 career titles so far that include 14 Grand Slam titles- an Australian Open in 2009, a record nine French Open titles, two Wimbledon titles in 2008 and 2010, and two US Open titles in 2010 and 2013.
He has also won two Olympic golds, having won the gold medal in the Singles tournament of the Beijing Olympics and most recently, the gold medal in the Men’s Doubles tournament of the Rio Olympics.
However, the one major title that Nadal is yet to win is the ATP World Tour Finals with his best performance being two runner-up performances in 2010 and 2013. 2010 was perhaps Rafa’s best year as he won the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open (which helped him complete a Career Slam) and was a heavy favorite to win the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Drawn in Group A alongside Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, and Tomas Berdych, Nadal was in dominant form during the group stages, having won all three matches and was up against fifth seeded Andy Murray in the semi-finals. Murray put up a very tough fight before Nadal won in three sets by the scoreline of 7-6, 3-6, 7-6.
In the final, Nadal was up against Roger Federer who hadn’t lost a single set prior to the final. Federer won the opening set 6-3 but Nadal bounced back to take the second set by the same scoreline before Federer demolished him 6-1 in the third set.
Nadal’s second appearance in the final of the World Tour Finals came three years later in 2013. Once again, Nadal was considered a heavy favorite to clinch the title as only months ago, he had retained the World No.1 ranking by winning the US Open.
Nadal was placed in Group A alongside David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, and Stan Wawrinka and had won all three group games to set up a semi-final clash against Roger Federer. Nadal beat Federer 7-5, 6-3 and was up against Novak Djokovic in the final.
Djokovic cleaned up Nadal in straight sets to capture his third World Tour Finals title. Nadal still has a very good chance to make the World Tour Finals but given his present form as well as the kind of form some of his top competitors are in, the chances of winning his maiden ATP World Tour Finals title are bleak.
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