Rafael Nadal has had a packed season but is confident of carrying his form into 2020.
He led Spain to the Davis Cup title and is now gearing up for the new season.
Nadal showed no signs of rustiness when he decimated his opponent 6-1, 6-3. Karen Khachanov was the one at the receiving end.
"That was a good masterclass. Rafa needs to tell me how much I need to pay him," Khachanov said jokingly.
"I was a little bit surprised the way that I played. I have been playing well at the end of the season. And it was just 15 days ago, a little bit more that I was winning the Davis Cup with Spain with the rest of the guys, so things went quick," Nadal told reporters.
"And at some point it's negative that we didn't have a lot of time (between seasons) but on the other hand I finished playing well and that helps to keep going playing well," he added.?
2020 is a new year and Nadal is just one title behind Roger Federer on the Grand Slam list.
While he maintains that going past Federer is not his aim, it would be great to surpass the Swiss Legend.?
2019 has been Nadal's year and the Spaniard ended as the oldest year-ending No. 1 at 33.?
If it is a sign of things to come then 2020 could see a deadlier version of him. The man has battled injuries and made a comeback. All those who wrote him off can now eat their words.
So will 2020 see a more dangerous Nadal on court? Guess we will know once the Australian Open gets underway.?