Nadal bullish on return to elite form in 2016
DOHA, Qatar — After a disappointing season last year, Rafael Nadal’s goal for 2016 is simple.
“The most important thing — play better,” the Spaniard said Monday.
Nadal managed to recapture some confidence toward the end of the year, posting a 17-5 record following the U.S. Open.
The late push enabled him to finish the year ranked No. 5, keeping his top-five season-ending ranking streak alive for an 11th year.
Nadal, winner of 14 Grand Slam championships, is getting fed up of being asked about his subpar 2015 that delivered only three minor titles.
It was the first time in a decade he failed to win a Grand Slam title.
His best results in majors last year were quarter-final finishes at the Australian and French opens.
“Seriously, I’m a little bit tired of talking every day about 2015,” Nadal said. “We are in 2016 already, no? We talked enough about 2015 and I talked enough about all the things that happened.
“I have been very honest in all the press conferences without lying or without (not saying) the things that really happen to me.”
Nadal is seeded No. 2 at the Qatar Open, where he was the champion in 2014. He opens the 2016 season Tuesday with a match against fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta.
“I feel myself ready for the next season,” Nadal said. “The expectations are the normal ones, positive ones, because I feel that I finished the past season playing well and I feel that I am playing well again.”
“Seriously, I’m a little bit tired of talking every day about 2015.”
— Rafael Nadal