Nadal claims struggling with 'nerves' post suffering third-round exit in Miami Open

After losing to fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in the third round at the Miami Open on Sunday, 'Clay King' Rafael Nadal has revealed that he was struggling with nerves during a lot of important moments.

Nadal, who lost 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to Verdasco, claimed that it was not a question of tennis, adding that the thing is the question of being relaxed enough to play well on court.

The Spaniard said that a month and a half ago he didn't have the game, adding that his game has improved but insisting that he is still playing with too much nerves for a lot of important moments and is still a little anxious on those moments, Sport24 reported.

Nadal rejected the notion that his numerous past injury problems were leading him to doubt his body. He said that the physical problems are in the past, insisting that he is in competition.

The Clay King claimed that he is playing weeks in a row and it is not an excuse. He said that it was a different story against his fellow countryman, insisting that he was feeling more tired than usual, feeling that he didn't have this self confidence that when he hits the ball he was going to hit the ball where he wanted to hit it, to go for the ball knowing that his position would be the right one.

Nadal believes that one of the tougher things has been fixed, that is the game, adding that now he needs to fix again the nerves, the self-control on court. He revealed that he is a little bit on and off too much, which is something that didn't happen in the past.

With the clay court part of the season coming up, Nadal's preferred surface, he said that the opportunity is there for him to turn his form around but added that would not happen if he is unable to fix his mental issues.