Rafael Nadal says he still has work to do on his game as he gets set to launch his clay-court season, which he hopes culminates with his ninth French Open title.
World number one Nadal lost in straight sets in the final of the Miami Masters tournament on Sunday to second seed Novak Djokovic. Djokovic cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 win as he easily dismantled Nadal, who has been hampered by a back injury which wrecked his Australian Open bid earlier this year.
Thirteen-time grand slam winner Nadal said despite the loss, which dropped him to 0-4 in Miami finals, he feels good about having made it to the final in Miami.
It is great that I am in the top of the race arriving to the clay-court season, But now we start on clay and I need to be 100 per cent
"It is great that I am in the top of the race arriving to the clay-court season," Nadal said. "But now we start on clay and I need to be 100 per cent.
"I need to work hard and try to be in better shape for clay."
Miami is one of just three ATP Tour Masters 1000 events that Nadal has failed to win.
The left-handed Spaniard said he plans to remain in the US for a few days then fly back to Europe and head to Spain where he will train on the clay surface.
"To be able to play in the final here is a lot of points," Nadal said. "I had a few good matches so that gives me confidence to start a very important part of the season for me."