ATP Finals 2022: Rafael Nadal crashes OUT after 2nd successive loss, Casper Ruud in semis
Rafael Nadal's error-strewn performance on Tuesday (November 15) saw him eliminated from the ATP Finals 2022, missing out once again on adding one of the few major trophies still missing from his glittering list of titles.
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The top-seeded Nadal lost 6-3, 6-4 to tournament debutant Felix Auger-Aliassime to leave him with two straight group-stage defeats in Turin. That result coupled with a victory for third-seeded Casper Ruud over Taylor Fritz in the later match meant a swift exit for Nadal.
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Ruud became the first player to book a spot in the semifinals. It also meant that Carlos Alcaraz is guaranteed to end the year ranked No. 1 and the Spanish player will travel to Turin to attend a special ceremony on Wednesday.
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The 36-year-old Nadal has now lost four straight matches for only the second time in his career, following defeats at the US Open and Paris.
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After starting the season by winning the Australian Open and French Open to take his tally of Grand Slam titles to a record 22, Nadal has played just eight singles matches since having to withdraw from the Wimbledon semifinals with an injury.
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"Couple of positive things. I was able to play two tournaments in the past three weeks. That's the positive thing, something that I was not able to do for a while," Nadal said.
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"I don't know if I going to reach that level again. But what I don't have any doubt is that I (am) going to die for it." Nadal continued
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Nadal was beaten by eighth-seeded Fritz of the United States in their opening match on Sunday. The fifth-seeded Auger-Aliassime also lost his opener, to Ruud, and so Tuesday's match was crucial to both players' hopes of staying in the tournament.
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"I wasn't sure If I would be here one day or if I could only dream of it," said Auger-Aliassime of his first victory over Nadal in three attempts. "The age difference is huge, and it proves what a champion he is and what an example because he is still here at 36, battling against guys in their young 20s. He is a great champion and has a great attitude."
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Nadal has never won the ATP Finals title in 10 attempts. He finished runner-up in 2010 and 2013. Nadal needed Fritz to beat Ruud in two sets to have any chance of reaching the semifinals and that hope was dashed when the Norwegian won 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (6).