Nadal already in Turin for ATP Finals after disappointing comeback

Rafael Nadal has already started practising in Turin (Image: Instagram @_federtennis)Rafael Nadal has already arrived at the ATP Finals as he makes his debut in the tournament’s new host city of Turin. The world No 2 recently returned to action at the Paris Masters but crashed out in his first match and is now bidding to turn things around at the last event of the season, where he is in with a chance of making history as the oldest year-end No 1.Nadal had been out of action for two months as he continued to recover from an abdominal tear he sustained at Wimbledon and also welcomed his first child with his wife Mery Perello during his post-US Open layoff. The 36-year-old finally made his comeback in Paris but lost to Tommy Paul after leading by a set and a break.He was quick to turn his attention to Turin where he will be playing for the first time after the ATP Finals moved to its new host city last year, with the season-ending championships being one of the few big titles Nadal has never been able to claim. And the world No 2 has arrived early, already getting in a practice session at the Pala Alpitour.The 22-time Grand Slam champion appeared to arrive in the city on Tuesday – five days before the start of the event – and has now been seen hitting on the match court. The Italian Tennis Federation shared a video of the Spaniard stepping onto the court in Turin for the first time and working on his groundstrokes after admitting he played ‘bad’ in key moments of his match against Paul last week.JUST IN: Zverev’s brother gives fresh injury update as comeback plans outlined Rafael Nadal lost his comeback match at the Paris Masters (Image: Getty)’Welcome Rafa. First training on the Centre Court of the 2022 Nitto ATP Finals,’ the Federazione Italiana Tennis wrote underneath a video of Nadal practising. Some fans had feared that the 91-time tour title winner would be forced to withdraw from the event after a tough start to his comeback in Paris but he remained adamant he would play if ‘nothing happened’.’Yes, I hope, if nothing happens, I hope to be there,’ he said when asked whether he’d be in Turin after losing 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1 to the American. ‘No, I’m excited about playing, even if haven’t been the perfect couple of months for me, of course. But, yeah, nothing to lose. After a good year, going there, just trying my best. At the end I need days on the tour, you know. It’s true that for the last five months I didn’t spend enough days on the tour.’DON’T MISSBritain’s BJK Cup captain hits out at lack of support despite home tieEmma Raducanu urged to ‘search her own soul’ as King weighs inRaducanu could get Netflix treatment with WTA bid while ATP denied Rafael Nadal will play in Turin for the first time since the ATP Finals moved to the Italian city (Image: Instagram @atptour)