Nadal admits to less passion for playing

RAFAEL Nadal said goodbye to London for another year on Thursday night, admitting his late-season struggles can partly be explained by a loss of passion for the game.

The Spaniard exited the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in the group stages after a 7-6, (7/2) 4-6, 6-3 defeat by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and will now fly home to Spain ahead of next weekend’s Davis Cup final against Argentina in Seville.

The form of the two players at the O2 Arena this week meant the result was not a surprise, but the manner in which Nadal surrendered the third set after battling back to level is clearly a concern for the world No 2.

He took a month off before the end-of-season tournament after a shattering loss to Florian Mayer in Shanghai, which left him needing to rest body and mind. Nadal has been one of the leading advocates for a shorter season and the amount playing the sport takes out of him is very evident.

It was still significant, though, to hear him use the word “passion” when discussing his loss of form, but he vowed to work as hard as he can in order to begin the 2012 season in good shape.

“Probably I had a little bit less passion for the game, probably because I was a little bit more tired than usual,” said Nadal.

“I am going to practise and I am going to do everything in my hands to be perfect for the beginning of 2012.

“This end of the year wasn’t easy for me. That’s hard to accept. But at the same time that’s given me a little bit more of a goal for the beginning of 2012. My desire is there.”