Nadal admits he's low on confidence Agence France-Presse
November 14, 2006
SHANGHAI -- Spain's Rafael Nadal admitted he was low on confidence after a terrible start to the Masters Cup but remained hopeful he could turn his tournament around.
The world number two was beaten in straight sets by outsider James Blake, extending a prolonged slump in which he has not won a title since May.
But the double French Open champion said he only needed one win to get back on track.
"The problem is not the game, because I am playing very well," he said late on Monday.
“I had chances in all tournaments, in the US Open quarterfinals, in the Madrid quarterfinals,” said Nadal.
"I didn't win and I was playing well every time. The problem is not the tennis, the problem is a little bit confidence. But win one match and it all changes, no? So I hope to win the next one after tomorrow," said Nadal.
The muscular Nadal dominated the early part of the season, beating Roger Federer in four finals on his way to five titles including a successful French Open defense.
But Nadal's season has fallen apart since he lost the Wimbledon final to the top-ranked Swiss.
He was returning to action after missing last week's Paris Masters with an abdominal strain.
Nadal was forced out of last year's Masters Cup with a foot injury and was making his debut in the season-ending tournament along with Blake.
He will also meet third-ranked Nikolay Davydenko and fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo in the Gold Group round-robin.
