Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal said that he is not worried of his recent slump in form and will put up a good show for winning his 10th French Open title. The Spaniard believes that the clay courts of Madrid would give him the perfect opportunity to jumpstart his bid for a 10th triumph at the French Open in June.
Nadal’s most recent outing ended in a dispiriting third-round exit to Italy’s Fabio Fognini on clay in Barcelona venue where he had been champion eight times.
But the former number one believe that he Madrid can represent a turning point as he attempts to re-establish himself as a major force in the sport after an injury and illness-hit conclusion to 2014 which saw him miss three months of the season. He said he is confident that he is doing things well, adding that he is doing all he could do to regain his form.
Nadal has just one title to his name this season – on clay in Buenos Aires – while his only victory over a top-10 player came against compatriot David Ferrer in Monte Carlo, where he went on to a tame semi-final loss to in-form Novak Djokovic.
In a statement, Nadal, former number one is currently ranked fourth in the ATP rankings and has the maximum points to defend at next week’s Madrid Masters, where he is the double defending champion.
Nadal said in a press conference, “I have the confidence that I am doing things well. When you do all you can, you can’t ask for any more,”
In addition, speaking on his home island of Mallorca on Thursday, Nadal stated that he was determined to return to his best and convinced that he will do so. Yet he also suggested that it should not be surprising that after so long at or near the top of tennis he has suffered a blip.