The Bad News

Rafael Nadal's 2015 season has been his worst for a decade. The former world number one has failed to reach the semi-final of any of the four Grand Slams, ending his record of winning at least one slam per season. His game has been riddled with doubts, and he's admitted to being nervous on court, something that always appeared inconcievable for the mentally solid Nadal. The Spaniard, who already appears to be putting the season behind him, explained his infamous struggles. “It was a tough year because I was playing with too much anxiety for a lot of months, especially at the beginning of the season,”

“During the first five, six, seven months of the season I was feeling very tired. Every time I was playing, every time I was practising, something pushed me here, nerves, anxious, probably the injury of last year … I suffered this year for those months." Nadal was struck down with a wrist injury and appendicitis in the second half of 2014. He skipped the US Open, both North American Masters, the Paris Masters and the ATP World Tour Finals. It was a dismal end for the Spaniard, and it's repercussions carried over to this year.

The Good News

“Now I feel much better about that [the anxiety]. Not 100% fixed but much better. I’m close to being 100% fixed. And I am enjoying being on a tennis court, the practices, the competition. The last couple of months I’m enjoying." By watching Nadal's most recent matches, you'll see just how much his mentality (and game) have improved since the start of the year. Even during his most recent blow, his 3rd round US Open loss to Fabio Fognini, he was fighting until the very end and was mentally 'present'. His results haven't been proportional to his progress, but the improvements are most definitely visible. 

"I really believe that I’m going to be ready for next year. I don’t know if I can win another grand slam title, I don’t know if I can do it, but I believe I can do it. If that happens – and I believe that’s going to happen soon because I feel much better – I’m going to find my level of tennis.” said the Spaniard. Nadal always underplays his chances and portrays himself as the underdog on the tour, but there's no denying how much more at-ease he seems. He's a hard worker, and one of the most- if not the most- dedicated players on tour. 

There's been a lot of panic surrounding his career this year, but there's no need. Despite the drop to number seven in the world, Nadal has things under control. The 29 year old still has the passion and motivation to keep playing, and perhaps the best news of all is that he is perfectly healthy and injury-free, something that has never been a given in his career. Nadal is gaining confidence by the minute, which is not only great news for him, but even better news for tennis fans who miss him at the top of the men's game. A fresh start in 2016 for Rafa will work wonders.