There is much doubt about
Rafael Nadal and what kind of
ATP Finals he will have considering his bad showing in Paris.
Nadal managed only one match in Paris getting beaten by Tommy Paul in round one and that was not enough preparation for a player who is in need of competitive matches. It will be really tough for him at the ATP Finals because he lacks matches and tennis reporter Steve Flink discussed it during a recent podcast showing:
"Rafa talked about the need to play more matches, he talked about getting
to Italy early to play practice sets but practice sets are nothing like
playing real matches. It just helps you but it is not the same thing. So it was unfortunate that he didn't get more matches in Paris in
advance of Turin to give himself a better chance because the field has
so much depth. It's going to be such a hard-fought event and both groups
of four players each are going to be exceedingly strong."
He further commented that Nadal will have trouble in Turin because he's had trouble indoors since the start of his career:
"So it's going to be hard for Rafa because he has always been the least comfortable indoors. He could well prove me wrong. He's is one of these guys who, no matter how many negative comments he makes, 'doubt' is one of his favorite words, he overcomes his doubts. I still think we'll see him go in with the usual fighting spirit. So he'll still be hard to beat but I don't like the conditions. It tends to be fast in Turin."