Home comforts help Nadal cope
Rafael Nadal, like all tennis professionals, travels the world year in, year out, but even he finds it hard going at times.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: May 31, 2012 11:42 PM IST
Rafael Nadal, like all tennis professionals, travels the world year in, year out, but even he finds it hard going at times.
The Spaniard is very attached to his sunny home on the Mediterranean island of Majorca where he has family and friends and where he can indulge himself in his latest passion for the game of golf.
Being away from all that for too much time can spill over onto his form as he admits was the case last year when he was dominated in a succession of finals by Novak Djokovic.
Twelve months on things have changed.
"I was saying that during practice and during the tournament my attitude is slightly more positive, and it's less difficult," he said following his 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 French Open second round win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.
"Whereas last year, due to my attitude, which was less positive, it was more difficult for me.
"The rallies were longer, and I was not at home and I felt it was a bit long.
"Whereas this year I'm having fun, a lot of fun, I'm happy, and I'm not suffering from the fact that I'm far from home. Whereas last year I was suffering from this.
"It was too much travelling for me. Whereas this year I'm very happy, even though last year I was quite successful. I had this mental fear last year. But, you know, things change."
Nadal, who is bidding this year to become the first man in history to win seven French Open titles, took time off after his shattering loss to Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open at the end of January to heal his aching knees.
He then took another timeout after withdrawing from his semi-final of the Miami Masters against Andy Murray and went into the claycourt season at Monte Carlo in top shape.
He won three of the four buildup tournaments to Roland Garros, losing only in Madrid where the blue, slippery clay surface was not to his liking.
"This year I feel more comfortable. Last year was not that comfortable. I remember, for instance, the Davis Cup I played against (Juan Martin) Del Potro, and I didn't really play well.
"I didn't play well during the Masters. I was mentally tired.
"This sounds perhaps strange, but there were only three or four weeks that I could take off the courts.
"After this, I started with Australia ... and then I immediately continued with a quick surface.
"Then I had some difficulties with my knee in Miami, and then I was back home and very happy to be.
"Since then I think I have played really well almost all of my tournaments. I'm really satisfied."
Next up for Nadal in the third round is old foe Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, who defeated Robin Haase of the Netherlands 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.