Rafael Nadal has hit back at the criticism and claimed he will keep fighting at the ATP Finals in Turin after a shock first-round defeat that marked a 13-year-low for the Spaniard.
Nadal entered the ATP Finals in Turin off the back of a first round loss at the Paris Masters last week and was looking to turn around his sluggish form.
Many were expecting an improved display from the Spaniard having been back on the tour for a couple of weeks after the birth of his first child.
But after a close first set against Taylor Fritz, it all went wrong for the 36-year-old.
The American, who defeated Nadal at Indian Wells, ran away with the second set with Nadal looking helpless in baseline rallies.
He also served three double faults as Fritz comfortably claimed his first Green Group win 7-6, 6-1 in Turin.
Nadal came under criticism after the match with many feeling we were seeing the very end of the icon’s career.
The Spaniard hadn’t lost three matches in a row since 2009 and in his current condition he could be facing a tough time in the Green Group.
However, in typical Nadal fashion, the Spaniard said he would: “keep trying, without a doubt.”
