Rafael Nadal: 'I'm getting back to my level of play'
Rafael Nadal believes he is getting back to his top form that won him his 14 Grand Slam titles.
In an interview with the India Times, Nadal revealed how this season has fared for him. The “King of Clay” said that 2015 has been difficult for him, but admitted he feels much better entering next season injury-free.
“I have already had a long career and it could be difficult to point at one or two challenges – to overcome injuries has been one of my biggest challenges but never comparable to ones on court,” Nadal said. “You need to be fit to play – but once that happens, the challenges on court are particularly special.”
Ever since Nadal’s early exit at the US Open, the Spaniard has worked hard to come close to his top form. For the first time in his 11-year career, Nadal has never won any major title this season, but he was close to doing so at the China Open and the Swiss Indoors, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer respectively.
Nadal also showed composure at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, where he won all of his round robin matches, but was eliminated after a loss over Djokovic. After Nadal’s performances in his last three tournaments, ESPN’s Greg Garber and Melissa Isaacson still predicted that Nadal could win a Grand Slam in 2016.
Fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez also believes Nadal is poised for a better season next year, but the World No. 17 admitted that it would be tough for the 14-time Grand Slam winner, considering how Djokovic is dominating the game.
"With the top three guys, especially Novak (Djokovic), playing the way they are now, next season is going to be a challenge for Rafa,” Lopez said. “But he has shown what comebacks are all about earlier, and will do it this time as well."
Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.