Rafael Nadal accepts his finest days are now behind him after a decade among the elite of world tennis.
"Obviously today I'm not as good as I was," the Spaniard said. "Life has been fantastic with me. Today I'm not winning as much as I did in the past. Life continues."
Nadal dropped out of the top five in the ATP rankings at the start of the week for the first time in 10 years, falling to world No 7 following his first defeat on clay to Andy Murray in the Madrid Masters final.
It was his fourth defeat on his favourite surface this year, only two weeks before starting his quest for a 10th French Open title.
It was also the first time Nadal has lost four straight clay matches during the same season since 2003.
"You are wrong if you think that the last week was a negative week for me," Nadal, 28, added. "Last week was a positive week for the confidence and a lot of things. Let's see if this week I can improve on last week."
After a first-round bye, Nadal begins his Rome Masters campaign against Turkish qualifier Marsel Ilhan on Wednesday.
However, the Mallorcan, a seven-time champion at the Foro Italico, strongly rejected suggestions he should consider removing Toni Nadal, his uncle, as coach ahead of the major championship at Roland Garros.
"If things are not going well it's because I am not playing well," he said. "Not because of the coach."
Nadal revealed he would never sack his uncle and said: "No. It's not only my decision. That's a decision of two people, not only one. Don't forget that Toni is more my uncle than my coach.
"If in any moment of my career I change some member of my team, it will not be because I am losing or winning," Nadal added. "It will be because there is not enough motivation for one another."
http://www.foxsportsasia.com/tennis/...-good-as-I-was
Nadal: I'm not as good as I was
posted on 15/5/15
French Open will be interesting though. Nadal looking vulnerable. Another chance for Novak to claim his career grandslam! I like Nadal but I hope Novak completes his career slam and go in the record books.
posted on 15/5/15
I will always love Rafa.He has been such a great player to watch so even if he does not win many matches he will still be one of the greats of tennis.Still I think he should have said that he is not as good as in previous years publicly as it shows that he has a weak mental attitude.Vamos Rafa!
posted on 15/5/15
I meant to say that I think he should not have said that he is not as good as in previous years publicly as it shows that he has a weak mental attitude.
posted on 15/5/15
comment by ZahraIhsanphile (U20361)
posted 7 minutes ago
I meant to say that I think he should not have said that he is not as good as in previous years publicly as it shows that he has a weak mental attitude.
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Exactly. That's what i was thinking as well like keep it to yourself Nadal. You don't say such things
posted on 16/5/15
Magisterial 19 I think this shows that Nadal has accepted defeat when should not give up.He might not ever come back to his best but still might be good enough to win a couple or even three more Grandslams in the future.All is still not lost for Rafa in my opinion!
posted on 19/5/15
There might be a touch of reverse-psychology behind this admission. He has made it sound like this tournament is Nole's to lose and it could be that Nadal prefers to go into the FO as a pressure-free underdog.