Nadal heads back to clay to salvage season

The 29-year-old is top seed at the Hamburg Open, commencing next week.

HAMBURG: Former world number one Rafael Nadal heads back to the comfort of clay next week as the struggling Spaniard attempts to resolve the crisis that has gripped his game.

The 29-year-old is top seed at the Hamburg Open but his decision to play a European clay tournament with the US hardcourt season just around the corner has baffled many.

“It’s obvious that the situation is different,” said Nadal. “I have lost more [this year] than in the last 10 or 11 years.”

In a testing year, Nadal has seen his world ranking slump to 10 — his lowest in a decade — and lose his French Open title where he has been champion nine times.

He has already been defeated 12 times this year, including just a second career loss at Roland Garros and a second round exit to German journeyman Dustin Brown at Wimbledon.



In 2014, Nadal was beaten 11 times. He was defeated only seven times in 2013 and lost a mere six matches in the whole of 2012.

“I need to accept that it is a new situation and face it with a good attitude and keep working hard to return to a good level,” added the Spaniard. “I feel good. I don’t have any injuries and that is the important thing.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th,  2015.

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