Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

As he gets down to business on indoor hardcourt at the World Tour Finals, Rafael Nadal continues to dream about a world in which his beloved clay gets the respect he thinks it deserves. The nine-time Roland Garros champion who is playing the year-end showpiece for the 11th time in his career remains steadfastly tied to the idea of just once playing the eight-man event on clay.

“I’m not sure if it is 100 per cent fair that we qualify for the World Tour Finals playing on grass, hard, clay and indoors,” said the Spaniard ranked fifth. “Since 2005, when I qualified, it is already 11 years that every single time (it has been) on indoor hard courts.

“I believe that it’s not fair that a player like me really never played on a surface that was a little bit more favorable. I always played on the worst surface possible for me.”

Nadal would not be fussed if the clay were indoors as would be the case with a November European venue. But the 29-year-old cannot help but keep his wish on the front burner of tennis attention. “If it’s indoor at London, then great, but you can build a different type of surface.

“This is a fantastic place to organize a World Tour Finals. The atmosphere is just amazing and I am very happy it is there. I enjoy it every time I have had the chance to be there, but we can play on clay there too.” Nadal’s best finish at the year-end was a final in 2013 against Novak Djokovic.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.