Rafael Nadal admits early season woes created confusion and doubts on ability to play at high level

Rafael Nadal admitted that his early season woes have caused him “confusion and doubts” on playing at a high level amid the Spaniard’s quest to regain his old form.

Nadal revealed that after his Australian Open loss against compatriot Fernando Verdasco, he was confused and doubted himself of rediscovering his elite form that earned him 14 Grand Slam titles. The 29-year-old Spaniard has not won a single title this season, having failed to get past through the semifinal round of all the competitions he joined.

“In Australia I was prepared to play a good tournament, but I needed to win that first round, which wasn't easy. I was close, but I could not do it and I went home,” Nadal said, reports Tennis World USA. “It created doubts and confusion. After, in Brazil and Argentina, I did not play at my best level, but I was close to winning those matches too.”

Nadal’s bid to once again find his rhythm on the tennis court has, so far, never been in fruition. The 14-time Grand Slam winner has lost all of his semifinal matches in his last three tournaments, including a clash against career rival Novak Djokovic at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where the Serb eventually named as the tournament winner.

But despite the recent struggles Nadal is enduring, the world No. 5 is still optimistic about his chances of playing at a high level. The King of Clay showed some improvements during his Indian Wells semifinal match against Djokovic and has insisted he is getting closer to matching Nole’s remarkable performances.

“[Match against Djokovic ] was closer than the last couple of times against the best player of world, so was a very positive week for me,” Nadal said after losing to Djokovic in Indian Wells. “[I’m] gonna try to follow this way to keep going with this level. If I am able to play weeks in a row at this level, then you start to think about the chances to compete for everything.”

Nadal will next compete at the Miami Open this week, where he has another chance to test his renewed confidence in playing the sport. The Mallorcan will open his campaign at the tournament against the winner between Damir Dzumhur and Leonardo Mayer.