Novak Djokovic is the favorite for the ATP Finals, but Rafael Nadal will also fancy his chances: Tim Henman
Tim Henman world no. 4 recently exacted the Odds of both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals. The Brit considers that World No. 1 Djokovic is the favorite to raise the name, given his superlative listing in indoor problems.
At precisely the same time, Tim Henman opined that Rafael Nadal does stand a chance if he stays physically healthy throughout the course of the event.
While talking to George Bellshaw, Henman made it crystal clear that picking Novak Djokovic to acquire the Nitto ATP Finals was not a bold prediction.
“It’s not really going out on a limb is it to choose Djokovic,” Henman said.
Ahead of the final ATP Finals draw in London on Thursday, Tim Henman ran the rule over the field.
We talked:
???? Djokovic and Nadal’s title chances
????Thiem establishing himself as the best of the rest
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The reasons he mentioned contained Novak Djokovic’s phenomenal record at the season-ending event, where he has emerged victorious on five previous occasions.
“He’s the No. 1 player in the world again and he’s won this tournament on I think five different occasions,” Henman said. “He’s got such a good record indoors and for all these players it’s almost the last push as it were. I think if I had to be backing anyone it’d be Djokovic.”
Indoor conditions are usually known to be favorable to Djokovic, and the Brit believes the World No. 1 will be extra motivated given that it’s his last chance for silverware this year.
When it comes to Rafael Nadal, Henman pointed out that the Spaniard is a victim of his success on other surfaces. Nadal’s listing in indoor states is a far cry from his accomplishments on outside hardcourts let alone on clay, but that doesn’t mean he’s a terrible indoor participant.
“When you set the bar so high when you look at his record indoors and sort of say, ‘Oh, it’s not too good,’” Henman said. “But he’s won a Masters series indoors, he’s been in the final of the ATP Finals on two occasions I think. He’s still got a very good chance. I don’t think he’s the favorite this coming tournament but he’ll still fancy his chances if he’s fit and healthy.”
Rafael Nadal’s indoor album is not so shabby. He’s won a Masters 1000 event in the past at Madrid (in 2005), while also being the runner-up at the ATP Finals twice (2010, 2013).
Tim Henman pointed out those achievements to put the claim that Nadal does possess a very good chance’ should his entire body not succumb to the demands of indoor conditions.
Dominic Thiem is the best player in the world behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal: Tim Henman
In Precisely the Same interview, Tim Henman was asked if he thought that Dominic Thiem was the world’s best player out of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Where the Brit Replied:
“Yes, I do.”
Henman further added he was’happy’ when the World No. 3 won the US Open by defeating Alexander Zverev in the closing. He also commented that it might have been strange if Zverev had managed to acquire a Slam despite needing such an unreliable’ next serve.
“I think Zverev – given the challenges in his tennis game, he’s had a very unreliable second serve,” Henman added. “I was very pleased that Thiem won that [US Open final], and that’s nothing against Zverev. I sort of felt it would have been amazing to win a Grand Slam with a second serve that has proved to be so unreliable.”
Transcription Source: Sportskeeda
