It’s been a rather challenging season for Rafael Nadal and the Spaniard himself acknowledged that he’s not satisfied with his results this year.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion spoke with the journalists this week at the Shanghai Masters about his season so far.
“I’m not satisfied with my performance because I get injury for [two-and-a-half months],” Nadal said. “Injured two months and a half, and you miss very important events. When you come back without practice and you have to compete [at] another important event without having practice and matches on your shoulders, it’s difficult to be satisfied, no?
“I think if you ask me if I was satisfied during Indian Wells, between Indian Wells and Roland Garros, yes. I had been competing for every tournament that I played, and competing against all the players with good chances to have success. And that’s the most important thing, no? So the level of tennis had been high during that period of time. But, you know, [it takes] a lot of effort for me.
“I worked so hard to be what I was in that moment, so when you break the rhythm with an injury, [it] is a little bit unlucky. And you need to accept and give more. And that’s what I’m doing. [It] has been a difficult moment of the year, and I am trying to finish well and [trying] to be ready again for the next season. That’s my real goal.”
The Spaniard dropped to number five in the world rankings following his quarterfinal exit at the China Open. He lost his opening round match in Shanghai to Viktor Troicki.
