Nadal needs more calm and confidence

London: Starting the final tournament of the year with a loss, former world number one Rafael Nadal can only think of more “calm and confidence” before easing into a better 2010.

“The second half of the year was difficult for me, and probably I lost more out of a lack of confidence and lack of this necessary calm that is needed in crucial moments,” Nadal said after losing in straight sets to Robin Soderling at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Monday.

“I am working very hard to come back to my best level and I am not far away from my best level. But I need a little more confidence and more calm in those crucial moments,” Nadal added.

This was Soderling’s second straight win against Nadal – the last time being his Round 16 four-set result to stop the Spaniard’s amazing run on clay at Roland Garros earlier this year.

“This year is going to be extremely hard to finish really well. But I am going to work very hard to start next year very good. I believe in myself and that I can come back playing really well next year,” he insisted.

After a successful start to 2009 where he won the Australian Open in Melbourne, Nadal spent more than two months treating his injured knees. Since then the climb back to his top form has been slow. On Monday, the Spaniard showed very little of the on-court flair he normally does.

And he went a step further in acknowledging he was not yet at his best despite the fact that he is not even feeling tired having reached the end of the season. “I am not tired and I am not happy to finish this year. But the season ends this week and there is nothing that can be done. Another two matches here, maybe more, and then there is Davis Cup next week. After that one month practice in Mallorca and that’s what I have to recover my 100 per cent level to start next year with a good level and chances to win in every place that I play,” Nadal said.

“My level right now is to be fighting and practicing hard to be ready as soon as possible to compete another time with equal conditions with everybody. So the attention right now is to go out on the court with full confidence in myself against everybody,” Nadal said.