“Pity Was the End”: Carlos Moya Feels Rafael Nadal Missed a Chance to Win ATP Finals 2020

Spain’s tennis great, Carlos Moya, who is part of the coaching staff of Rafael Nadal, has said that his pupil did take some positives from a ‘strange year’ on the professional circuit.

The former French Open champion said it was a rare season where players took whatever positives they could from the handful of matches they could play.

More positives for Rafael Nadal in 2020, says coach Carlos Moya

With concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic putting paid to many events, including the Wimbledon Championship, this calendar, the players were hardly left with enough tournaments to rake in crucial ranking points.

Many put health over tennis and skipped events citing the pandemic.

Nadal finished 2020 season as World Number 2

Though not as prolific as he has been in previous years, Nadal finished the season as World Number 2. He also clinched an unprecedented 13th straight French Open trophy.

His win/loss record this season stood at a fairly impressive 27-7.

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Taking stock of Nadal’s performance this year, Moya said there were clearly more positives than negatives at the end of a pandemic-hit season.

Speaking to Spanish portal Libertad Digital, Moya said, “Very rare season and very strange year for everyone. 

“Within what has been possible to play, the balance is clearly positive because winning a Grand Slam always turns the year into a great year. That is undoubted.”

Nadal’s agony at ATP Finals prolonged

His 20th Grand Slam at Roland-Garros this year tied Nadal with Roger Federer’s tally of Major titles. However, he went title-less yet again at the prestigious ATP Finals.

Coming into the event in the hope of ending his title drought, Nadal fell to eventual champion Daniil Medvedev in the semifinal.

Moya said it was a pity that Nadal couldn’t end his barren run at the ATP Finals this year.

“The pity was the end with the London Masters Cup where I think Rafa had a chance to reach the final and also to win the tournament.Normally with him things usually happen in favor, but in this case they happened against,”  Moya said.

Nadal’s run at the Rolex Paris Masters also ended in disappointment this year. He lost in straight sets to German Alexander Zverev in the semifinal.

However, the Spaniard did finish the season as the third biggest earner, pocketing over three million euros.