Rafael Nadal had an almost forgetful season in 2015, but the “King of Clay” is convinced he is in “great shape” ahead of the 2016 season.

Nadal is set to start his 2016 campaign in Abu Dhabi at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. The 14-time Grand Slam winner said he feels he is in top shape again after suffering a season full of woes and setbacks.

“Coming to Abu Dhabi for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship is always special, it is the perfect preparation for me to get ready for a new season,” Nadal said, reports The National. “I feel in great shape so it should be incredible experience for me, for the other players and of course for the fans coming out to support us.”

Nadal, who played in Manila and New Delhi at the International Premier Tennis League, immediately went back to practice last Monday in Mancor in order to prepare for the next season. Nadal said he is approaching next year “very confident” and “very excited.”

“I’ve ended the season playing well, being competitive and enjoying,” Nadal said, reports Tennis World USA. “I hope to be consistent the whole 2016. From the last three months, my game is rising.”

Nadal won the second and third editions of the Mubadala tournament and played on six of the seven tournaments held, including a final round appearance in the event’s inaugural staging in 2009. The Spaniard is hoping he would get a third trophy in Abu Dhabi as he tries to set-up himself for a “strong campaign.”

Nadal struggled mightily in the first half of this year, suffering second and third round exits at Wimbledon and the US Open. He also failed to show up strong performances at the Australian Open and the French Open, just reaching the quarterfinal round of both tournaments.

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