Nadal is Happy to Be Back on Clay

Written by: Staff on 28th November 2011

Nadal is Happy to Be Back on Clay

Spain's Davis Cup player Rafael Nadal reacts during a trainning session with his team at the Olympic Stadium in Seville, southern Spain, 26 November 2011, in order to prepare next weekend's Davis Cup final against Argentina. EPA/JULIO MUNOZ |

It took Rafael Nadal just a day to make the switch from indoor hardcourt to clay after the disappointment of an early exit at the World Tour Finals. Just 24 hours after losing in group stages at the year-end event, the Spaniard was onto the clay in preparation for the weekend Davis Cup final.

Spanish reports showed the six-time French Open champion already hitting out on the indoors clay of Seville in preparation for the December 2-4 clash with Argentina.

Nadal could well be hoping that another Davis title for the most successful nation over the past decade in the worldwide team competition might make up for a season in which he won only three titles – his worst total since the early days of his career in 2004 (one trophy).

Nadal landed in Seville and almost immediately booked a mid-afternoon training session with teammate Marcel Granollers, likely to be left off the final Spanish selection.

The king of clay has admitted he’s struggling with motivation after so many years in the elite and was far from happy with his 1-2 London showing in group play.

But that should change at home with the prestigious title at stake. “I’ll be a week practicing on clay. Even if I’m not playing perfect, the surface helps me.

“On clay I have more time to think, the movements are a little bit easier for me. I’m going to have the right team there supporting me and practicing hard.

“I’ll try my best every day to try to win the Davis Cup for my country. I’m lucky, the team, not only myself, if I’m not in the right conditions, the captain can choose another player.”

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Atp, Rafael Nadal