Rafael Nadal (Photo : Brazil Photo Press/LatinContent/Getty Images)
Former world's no.1 Rafael Nadal isn't giving up on his goal of competing at a high level. According to former ATP player Albert Costa, Nadal still has all the motivation in the world to regain his old dominant form, despite absorbing a series of setbacks this season.
Costa, who is now the director of ATP 500 Barcelona Open, admitted that he's in constant contact with Nadal throughout the toughest period of his career. He said that Nadal has been tirelessly working on his game, pushing himself to the limit until he achieves his goal.
When asked if Nadal still got what it takes to stay competitive in the tour, Costa stressed he has no inkling of a doubt that the 14-time Grand Slam winner will eventually get over the hump at some point this season.
This @NikeCourt crew color is perfect. I’m ready to stand up and stand out at
Indian Wells https://t.co/EJbQz9Q6rt pic.twitter.com/wPX4Dx9YT0— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) March 4, 2016
'With Rafa Nadal you have to be patient because he has the will and motivation. As I know, he is working on a daily basis so that he can improve, surely he will win more important tournaments. He's overcome injuries, last year he lacked confidence and in 2016, he has not had big results.
But I have spoken to him and he is fighting to recover his form, and I am sure he will improve his tennis and will realise his goal,' Costa said in an interview with Mundo Deportive (Translated by Tennis World USA).
Nadal, coming off a forgetful campaign in 2015, had a rough start for 2016 after bombing out in the first round of the Australian Open and back-to-back semifinal losses against lowly-ranked opponents in Argentina and Rio.
Despite the mediocre results, Nadal is optimistic there's enough time for him to return playing at a high level this season, although at the same time he has a realistic take on his chances of retaking the world's no.1 ranking from a red-hot Novak Djokovic, according to Costa.
"talk about the world number one is another thing because we have a Novak Djokovic very strong, but what should focus Rafa Nadal is in daily work, in the constantly improve their tennis. I know he's fighting, and maybe now is not at its best ranking and tennis, but in this line soon get important victories. "
The 29-year old Nadal is scheduled to compete in the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the year at Indian Wells this week.
