Rafael Nadal was his own worst enemy in 2015. Time may be his best friend before the 2016 season begins.
The Spaniard felt in a rush to recapture his dominant form this season after suffering through an injury-plagued 2014, he told Sky Sports.
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The fact that he wasn't 100 percent physically ready to return and the toll that took on his mental approach to the game contributed to his sudden inability to temper his nerves.
"It was a tough year in terms of everything because I was playing with too much anxiety, especially at the beginning of the season," he told Sky Sports. "The first six months I was feeling very tired every time I was playing, every time I was practicing so I feel like something pushed me ... nerves and probably the injury of last year produced all these things.
"Now I feel much better. Not 100 percent fit, but much better. Close to being 100 percent fit and I am enjoying it again. I'm enjoying being on the tennis court, enjoying practicing and enjoying the competition because I don't have it [the anxiety] anymore."
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Nadal won two smaller events in 2015 and started well enough with a quarterfinals appearance at the Australian Open. But his inability to recover his ability to dominate led to increasing self-doubt.
The nine-time French Open champion who had won five straight at Roland Garros heading into 2015, lost in the quarters to No. 1 Novak Djokovic, which added to his anxiety, rather than relieving pressure.
Nadal lost in the second round at Wimbledon and the third round at the U.S. Open. Asked whether he feels he can add to his 14 Grand Slam titles, Nadal did hesitate, but responded optimistically.
"I don't know. I don't know if I can win another Grand Slam," he said. "I believe yes. I don't know if I'm going to do it ... but I can do it.
"I'm going to work hard to create more opportunities in the next couple of years, so let's see if I'm able to relax, to control my emotions again and if that happens, and I believe it will happen soon because I feel much better, I'm going to find my level of tennis."
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