But with the numbers 6–4, 7–5, Nadal turned on the match and subsequently received the prize bracket for ending the year as a world title thanks to Roger Federer defeating Novak Djokovic late on Thursday.

- I'm very happy. After all the things I went through in my career in the form of injuries, I never thought that at the age of 33, I would have this dent in my hands again, he said.

Despite the win, however, Rafael Nadal is not yet qualified for play in the weekend's semi-finals. The Spaniard's hope is that Daniil Medvedev beat Alexander Zverev in Friday night's match - then Swiss Roger Federer is waiting in the semi-finals.

- I don't know if we'll see each other tomorrow, it depends on the supper. But I did everything I could today, Rafael Nadal said.

ARCHIVE: A frustrated Nadal after a loss - hear the interview here (November 12, 2019)

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