Rafael Nadal: This Win Over Andy Murray Is Just The Beginning

Rafael Nadal picked up his best win of the season yesterday at the ATP Finals beating World No. 2 Andy Murray 64, 61 in round robin play. The victory over Murray was his highest win by ranking of the season for Nadal who’s had a bumpy 2015. But it signaled once again that he’s on the road back to the top.

“Is just the beginning,” Nadal said. “I need to keep working so hard to try to keep going the same way. Not everything going to be like this. As I said the other day, when you come back from a period like I had, is like this, is like this. But the line is very positive, no? So happy for that. And obviously is an important victory for me and important day.

“Today I feel free. I feel enjoying on court. That don’t mean I going to play well on every match. That means I am happy. I go day by day. Happy how the things are going the last couple of weeks. I think was late on the year, but at the same time is at least the right time I try to finish the year with that positive feeling. That helps to try to start next year in better shape.”

Murray agreed. “He obviously played better today than he did when I played him earlier in the year,” Murray said. “I think Rafa always practices pretty hard from what I see. Obviously he’s won a lot more matches in the second half of the year.”

The win also clinches the top spot for Nadal in the Ilie Nastase group. That means on Saturday Nadal will face either Novak Djokovic or Tomas Berdych, if the Czech beats Novak in straight sets.

“I hope remain at least hopefully two more matches here,” Nadal said. “I hope to finish the year with that positive feeling, that positive energy, keep competing well in terms of mentality, in terms of tennis, and then let’s see.”

Nadal has never won the ATP Finals finishing runner-up twice before.