Rafael Nadal anxious about losing streak, admits lack of consistency is hurting chances of winning

Rafael Nadal said his losing streak at the start of the season was not helping his bid to return to elite-form, admitting that he has been lacking consistency for the important games of this year.

Nadal suffered another upset in the semifinal round of the 2016 Rio Open at the Jockey Club Brasileiro against Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 7-6 (6) 6-7(3) 4-6. It was the Spaniard’s third straight defeat of the year, having lost in the opening round of the Australian Open against Fernando Verdasco and in last week’s Argentina Open against eventual winner Dominic Thiem.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner was not optimistic at all about him losing two weeks in a row. Nadal said it was “never good” to miss out on chances for a final round appearance, insisting that he hopes to get better in the upcoming tournaments.

"Clearly when you lose two weeks in a row with good chances to qualify for the final it’s never good, I fought until the end, I have had a good mentality accepting difficulties and fighting, but I lacked consistency in the important moments,” Nadal said, reports Tennis World USA. “I lacked a little bit of luck, I hope it goes better.”

But despite another setback in Nadal’s search for renewed form this season, the Mallorcan understands he has to move on from another disappointing show and vowed to work hard and get back to his winning ways.

“I have to accept it and keep working to try to change the dynamic,” Nadal added. “That’s what’s happening today and I have to work hard to change it.”

The 29-year-old’s next competition will be at the Indian Wells in California, where he joins Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Roger Federer. Nadal will bid for a fourth title at the event, but will have a really tough competition with the Big Four set to participate.