Rafael Nadal came from a set down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas and keep his hopes of qualifyigng for the semi-finals alive after a thrilling three-hour marathon.
The world number one lost the first-set tiebreak against the undefeated Greek to give him a mountain to climb. But he bounced back in true champion style to force a deciding set and finally edged the three-hour marathon 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5.
Daniil Medvedev must later today defeat Alexander Zverev in the night session in order for the Spaniard to secure his place in the semi-finals.
UPDATE: Rafa finishes 2-1 in round-robin after two stupendous comebacks but still doesn’t make semis after Zverev beats Medvedev 6-4, 7-6(4).
After the match, Rafa has got his trophy for ending the year as the top-ranked player in the ATP rankings and that feels fitting given the performance he’s just put in.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks out prior to his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks out prior to his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on in his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal celebrates during his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas on day six of the Nitto ATP Finals at The O2 Arena, London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece embrace at the net after their singles match during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece shake hands at the net after their singles match during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal celebrates victory after winning his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas on day six of the Nitto ATP Finals at The O2 Arena, London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal celebrates victory after winning his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas on day six of the Nitto ATP Finals at The O2 Arena, London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with his trophy after being announced as ATP Tour end of year world number one following his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with his trophy after being announced as ATP Tour end of year world number one following his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with his trophy after being announced as ATP Tour end of year world number one following his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with his trophy after being announced as ATP Tour end of year world number one following his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal with his ATP World Number 1 trophy after winning his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas on day six of the Nitto ATP Finals at The O2 Arena, London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with his trophy after being announced as ATP Tour end of year world number one following his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with his trophy after being announced as ATP Tour end of year world number one following his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with his trophy with Chris Kermode, CEO of the ATP, after being announced as ATP Tour end of year world number one following his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day 6 of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with Chris Kermode, CEO and Chairman of ATP and his trophy after being announced as ATP Tour end of year world number one following his singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Six of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Thanks for the update.
I am sad Rafa didn’t make the semis, he gave his all on the court but I am very happy he won the beautiful year end no. 1 trophy! Thank you for an unforgettable 2019, amazing👏
Stay healthy and happy, Rafa❤️
Rafa congratulations you give all what he have.well don Rafa you are amazing this year is the best for Rafa vamosssssssssssss. Champ good luck again love all your fans for ever 💪🎾❤️😘
Hearty congratulations Rafa 🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊
Who says Rafa can’t play indoors!!!
Congrats on beating a tough opponent. Your speech was gracious and appreciative of fan support.
Your facility with English is certainly improving. It did indeed look like a heavy trophy-you are so deserving of it.🏆enjoy the moment.👍💪👏🎾❤️🥇
Rafa’s hopes and dreams are still ALIVE, winning the ATP WTF.
I hope Rafa gets all the rest needed in order to beat Roger tomorrow. It’s not official yet but I feel Rafa will qualify.
RAFAMAZING FOR THE WIN
I guess my comment may be incorrect after fans saying Rafa may play Roger in the final.
Let’s just say, for argument’s sake, that Rafa qualifies.
The last four would be Rafa and Tsitsipas from group A.
Roger and Thiem from group B.
So which players would pair up for the semifinals?
Thanks
The formula is that the winner of group A plays the runner up of group B and vice versa. If Zverev loses, then Rafa wins group A and plays Roger.
Thank you for the clarification Va4favre.
I sure hope his happiness in winning today calms his nerves so he is able to rest his body and have a wonderful sleep tonight.
RAFAMAZING FOR THE WIN
Our Rafa has done it again!
Medvedev, do us a favor now please. Thank you very much!
Good luck to Medvedev and RAFA🍀🍀
KUDOS GOAT NADAL AND MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING THE NUMBER ONE WORLD TENNIS CHAMPION FOR THE 5TH TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) LOVED YOUR PRECIOUS VICTORY TODAY AND YOUR POINT BY POINT PRECIOUS FOCUSED STRIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) KEEP SMILING SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Go Medvedev go and win for Rafa to qualify for Semis.and a probable Fedex- Rafa final…
Ojala que si!!!!!! Y tambien, RAFA! Ojala que “VAMOS.”
He is Rafantastic and I`m a Rafanatic. Vamooooooooossssssssssss!!!!!!!
UNBELIEVABLE !!!!!!! Rafa! Such a
match…allways a fighter to the end!
So deserving of that trophy!!
Rafa gave all what he had. Well done champ. Amazing year and now: GO MEDVEDEV