Nadal predicts Djokovic's superb form will fade

Updated on: 17 May,2011 08:03 AM IST |
AFP |

After losing to Novak Djokovic in the final, World No 1 Rafael Nadal predicts the Serb's superb form will fade with time

After losing to Novak Djokovic in the final, World No 1 Rafael Nadal predicts the Serb's superb form will fade with time

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after beating Spaniard Rafael Nadal
in the final of the Rome Masters on Sunday. Djokovic won 6-4, 6-4. PIC/AFP

Djokovic beat Nadal 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday in the Rome Masters final to deny the Spaniard a sixth title here in seven years and take his winning streak to 37 matches this year. It was the fourth time this season the Serbian has beaten the World No 1 in a Masters final and the second time on clay in the space of eight days after his Madrid triumph.

With the French Open beginning next Sunday, Nadal faces the prospect of not being the favourite, even though he has won there five times in six years.

But Nadal said he is focussing on improving his own game so that when the time comes, he will be the one ready to pounce.

"I'm there all the time, I've played in six straight finals, I've lost four (Miami, Indian Wells, Madrid and Rome; wins at Monte Carlo and Barcelona) but there is one player playing better than the rest, he is doing unbelievably," said Nadal.

"My goal is to be there next time. I'm focussed on my way. In the last few months he's been on a different level to the rest of the players. One player is winning almost everything, I'm second so let's keep trying. That won't continue like this forever because it's impossible."

However, Nadal acknowledged that it's not easy to find a weakness in Djokovic's game. "He's a complete player, he can do everything," he added.

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