Summary Rafael Nadal insisted Thursday that he will not panic over his worrying slump in form.
MADRID (AFP) - Rafael Nadal insisted Thursday that he will not panic over his worrying slump in form which has placed serious question marks over his dream of a 10th French Open title.
The 28-year-old Spaniard is down at four in the world rankings and has maximum points to defend at next week s Madrid Masters where he is the double defending champion.
Nadal has just one title to his name this season -- on clay in Buenos Aires -- while his only victory over a top-10 player came against compatriot David Ferrer in Monte Carlo, where he went on to a tame semi-final loss to in-form Novak Djokovic.
But the 14-time major winner believes the clay courts of Madrid, where he was also champion in 2010, give him the perfect opportunity to jumpstart his bid for a 10th triumph at the French Open in June.
"I have the confidence that I am doing things well. When you do all you can, you can t ask for any more," Nadal was quoted by El Pais on Thursday.
"I need to have a balanced point of view that is not too negative or positive. If I maintain the same desire and work rate, I hope to once again have the same chance to compete for everything like I have in the past."
Nadal s most recent outing ended in a dispiriting third-round exit to Italy s Fabio Fognini on clay in Barcelona, a venue where he had been champion eight times.
However, he believes Madrid can represent a turning point as he attempts to re-establish himself as a major force in the sport after an injury and illness-hit conclusion to 2014 which saw him miss three months of the season.
"Madrid has always brought me positive energy. Both the fans and the city have given me everything I could dream of. I know things have gone worse that I would have liked up until now, but that doesn t negate my excitement to be here," he added.
"I can only keep going. After so many ups and downs I am sure that the consistency I want to have will arrive. If you have the desire, and I have, you can turn the situation around."
