Rafael Nadal held off a late surge from birthday boy Stefanos Tsitsipas to claim the 80th title of his career with victory at the Toronto Masters on Sunday, before withdrawing from next week’s ATP Cincinnati Masters event as he prepares for this month’s US Open.
Nadal overcame a second set fightback from Greek youngster Tsitsipas to claim a 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) victory in just under 1hr 45mins.
The win gave the 32-year-old Spaniard a record-extending 33rd trophy at the elite Masters level as well as his 80th title.
However Nadal later said he would be withdrawing from next week’s event in Cincinnati. The Spaniard said in a statement following the win that he had decided to adjust his schedule in order to preserve his fitness.
“I am very sorry to announce that I won’t be playing in Cincinnati this year,” Nadal said.
“No other reason than personally taking care of my body and trying to keep as healthy as I feel now.
Earlier, a vocal crowd of local flag-waving Greek fans had sang Happy Birthday to the 20-year-old Tsitsipas as Nadal reflected on a successful campaign.
“I feel I’ve improved every match, it’s important to win even if you’re not at your best,” Nadal said as he prepares for the US Open later this month.
“It’s been almost 10 years (2010) since I last played in Toronto,” Nadal said of the event which comes to the city in even-number years as it trades with Montreal.
“This trophy means a lot.”
Tennis week of Tsitsipas’s life
The loss concluded the tennis week of his life for Tsitsipas, who beat four Top 10 opponent in a row to reach the final.
“It’s been an amazing week for me,” he said. “This trophy means a lot after playing my first Masters 1000 final.
“Rafa is amazing, he never cracks. He will always grab you like a bulldog and he will always make you suffer on the court.
“He was (once) normal like all of us, and he managed to become this beast, this monster that he is today.
“That’s how you feel when you play against him.”
Tsitsipas is taking the lesson he learned on court to heart: “I’m really hungry for more. I believe I can achieve much more this year.
“Although I lost today, I feel like I can still beat good players. I really want to make more points this year and get the best out of myself.”
Nadal added the Canadian honour to the titles he won in 2005, 2008 and 2013.
The final featured a plot twist at the end, with Nadal broken while serving for victory leading a set and 5-4.
Tsitsipas would not buckle, making it 5-5 as Nadal hit the net, with the set finally going into a tiebreaker.
Nadal regained control, earning a match point on a Tsitsipas forehand error.
The Spanish world number one concluded victory with a forehand winner deep into the corner.
He now owns five titles this season and has clinched the first spot in the year-end finals in London.
Cincy withdrawal
Nadal’s withdrawal leaves Roger Federer as the tournament’s highest seed in second. The Swiss did not play Toronto in order to conserve his resources, an example being followed by his main rival.
Nadal will be replaced in the draw by a lucky loser.
“I need to make a decision about what is going on in the next week and the next couple of weeks,” he said. “We also have the Davis Cup semi-finals after the US Open.
“We need to think about the things that we can do or the things that about we can’t do, no? So it’s all about the decisions.
“I only want to play, I want to be everywhere. I love this sport. I don’t like to miss events. But at some point if I don’t stop for myself, my body stop me. So that’s the experience that I have.”
With inputs from AFP
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!