• ATP Tour

Nadal worried that 'fear' is affecting his form

ESPN staff
March 23, 2010
Rafael Nadal cut a dejected figure after losing at Indian Wells © Getty Images
Enlarge

Rafael Nadal is worried that his 'subconscious fear' of picking up an injury is preventing him from achieving his peak performance level.

After a run of knee ailments, the most recent of which saw him out of the game for nearly two months, Nadal has slipped to No. 4 in the world rankings.

During his tournament comeback at Indian Wells last week, Nadal showed glimpses of the speed and power which have made him such a force - but he disappointed during his semi-final match, crashing out to Ivan Ljubicic.

Following that defeat, Nadal acknowledged that he needs to improve if he is to push for a seventh Grand Slam - only possible, he says, if he can overcome the mental issues that are plaguing him.

"I need to keep improving," Nadal told Marca. "I need to play consecutive matches and play knowing that nothing will happen to me if I push myself to the limit.

"Subconsciously I have more fear now and I don't know if the limit I am setting is the real one, the one from before. If you think about it, you are not only fighting against your opponent but also against yourself. And that kills you and affects your mind."

Nadal also revealed that his admiration for Tiger Woods has not diminished in the light of the golfer's extra-marital affairs. "His private life is his business and nobody else's. I still admire him because he is an exemplary athlete," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices