Friday 24 April 2015 18:15, UK
Rafael Nadal is entering a crucial period in his career as he attempts to repair his erratic form in time for the French Open, says Barry Cowan.
The Spaniard has reigned supreme at Roland Garros, lifting the trophy for the last five successive years, but his aura of invincibility is slipping following some worrying recent results.
At the Barcelona Open, Nadal suffered a surprise third round defeat to Fabio Fognini, prompting fresh concerns about his ability to withstand world No 1 Novak Djokovic in Paris.
The pair met in the semi-finals of last week’s Monte Carlo Masters, with Djokovic taking a 6-3 6-3 win, and Cowan believes Nadal must make improvements fast if he is going to remain the king of clay.
“This is a huge moment for Rafa. I think this is almost the biggest test he’s had in his career on the court,” said the Sky Sports expert.
“Of course he’s had issues off the court because of the doubt whether he would get back playing again with those injuries, but in terms of his tennis - playing on the court - this is the biggest hurdle he is going to have to overcome.
“I’ll be consistent with what I said the last few weeks. The will is still there, he wants to turn it around, and you’ve got to feel he will. However, he cannot be too desperate to do it.
“I feel a little bit of that is creeping in at times. Almost he wants it too much and that brings apprehension.”
Nadal has lacked his usual mental toughness on court in recent months and appeared to be plagued by indecision as he surrendered three breaks of serve in the second set against Fognini.
“I was surprised at Rafa’s level and I think there is a real concern about the way he played in that second set,” said Cowan. “He was up a break three times.
“The fact that he served for the set, and the way he built momentum last week, I didn’t think he was too far off.
“Rafa historically is always a player that has got better and better with every match that he has played and to have as many doubts as he had yesterday, I think it's a real concern for him.”
Upcoming trips to Madrid and Rome will allow Nadal more court time on his favourite surface and Cowan insists the Mallorca man still has time to make the necessary adjustments.
He said: “Fognini played at a very high level and Rafa only lost closely, so it’s not as if he’s way down the pecking order.
“He is still in that second pack and he is playing below his best tennis. That’s why you’ve got to feel that with just a little bit more self-belief, then he is not far off from being able to really be back to his best.
“But at the moment he, along with the others, are two levels below Novak, who has definitely raised the bar on all surfaces.”
Watch the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open this Saturday on Sky Sports 3 from 12.45pm.
