Rafael Nadal of Spain receives medical treatment during his ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the 02 Arena against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in London November 27, 2009. [Agencies]
NADAL SENT PACKING
Nadal never looked in the mood to light up London's impressive O2 Arena from the moment he walked on court against Soderling for his opening match on Monday and against Djokovic he again looked a shadow of the player that began the year in such devastating fashion by claiming the Australian Open title.
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Rafael Nadal of Spain receives medical treatment during his ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the 02 Arena against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in London November 27, 2009. [Agencies] |
"It's not very disappointing, no," Nadal told reporters before packing his bags for Spain where he will prepare for next weekend's David Cup final against the Czech Republic.
"It's only disappointing if you arrive here with the feeling that you have a big chance to win. But I didn't arrive here with that feeling."
He lost his opening two service games, although his instinctive battling qualities allowed him to break Djokovic twice to stretch the opening set into a tiebreak only for the baseline errors to return to undermine his hopes of finally winning a set in the tournament.
Nadal needed treatment on his lower back at 1-2 in the second set. He dropped his serve again in the following game with yet another forehand error and Djokovic stayed out in front to claim victory in just under two hours.