Despite struggling to find his form this season, Rafael Nadal is positive heading into his next ATP World Tour event.
Nadal continues his quest to regain his old form when he competes at the Miami Open 2016 this week. The King of Clay has yet to earn his first ATP World Tour-level title this season, but Nadal is optimistic about his chances of outperforming his campaign at the recently-concluded BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
"In Indian Wells it went well. I was at a high level and I played right during the whole tournament," Nadal said after winning an exhibition match in Puerto Rico against Victor Estrella Burgos, reports Tennis World USA."I won matches against tough opponents. Now it comes Miami and I am ready to keep going on the same line."
During his stint in Indian Wells, Nadal showed a glimpse of his elite form, reaching the semifinal round of the tournament after defeating the likes of Fernando Verdasco and Kei Nishikori. The 29-year-old was not able to get past world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinal stage, losing in straight sets 7-6(5) 6-2.
But despite suffering another failed attempt to win a title this season, the Mallorcan is convinced he is slightly improving, which serve him well in an expected tough competition at the Miami Open.
"Today was closer than the last couple of times against the best player of world [Djokovic], so [it] was a very positive week for me," Nadal said after his semifinal defeat against the Serb at the Californian desert.
"[I'm] gonna try to follow this way to keep going with this level. If I am able to play weeks in a row at this level, then you start to think about the chances to compete for everything."
Nadal enters as the fifth seed at the Miami Open, where the 14-time Grand Slam winner bids for his first ever tournament title. The world No. 5, who received a first round bye, could face the winner of Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur and Leonardo Mayer of Argentina in the Round of 64.