Rafael Nadal (Photo : Getty Images)
Former WTA world No. 1 Chris Evert does not believe Rafael Nadal will have regular appearances in semifinal and final rounds of big tournaments.
Nadal is consistently attempting to find his rhythm back this season, but the King of Clay has miserably failed to do so after losing all of the tournaments he played.
There may come a match where the 29-year-old Spaniard could channel his old form, but according to Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam winner, it would take some time before that could happen.
"It's a long road back," Evert said, reports ESPN. "He's unlike any other player. He trained differently, and maybe that has something to do with his struggles now."
"It doesn't look like he will get to the semis and finals of big tournaments as regularly as the other top guys."
Nadal is having another season full of struggles, failing to win all the tournaments he joined this year, including the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where the 14-time Grand Slam winner suffered a semifinal defeat in the hands of world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
It was Nadal's sixth lost against the Serb in the last 12 months, but the Mallorcan is still in good spirits despite a 7-6(5) 6-2 defeat that may have given a major blow to the Spaniard's renewed confidence in playing big matches.
"If I play against him it's because I am in semi-finals and finals, so that's very positive news," Nadal said, reports the ATP's official website. "Even if I lose, [it's] great news."
"I felt for a moment that I was competing at the highest level possible."
Nadal's next tournament will be at the Miami Open on Mar. 23, where the world No. 5 joins the rest of the Big Four, including a returning Roger Federer.
Nadal is set to bid for his first Miami Open title, but five-time tournament champion Djokovic and two-time former champ Andy Murray are expected to be a major roadblock for the Spaniard.
