I am approaching an important phase of my season: Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal feels that the Monte Carlo Masters was the most positive week of the season for him, so far

World No.5 Rafael Nadal has said that despite losing to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the Monte Carlo Masters, the week gone by, was certainly his most positive week and admitted that he doesn't have the easiest of draws at the Barcelona Open, starting on Monday.

"For me, it's a very positive week. The most positive week of the season, without any doubt.

“If I am able to keep doing that in the next tournament in Barcelona, and I have a tough draw, I will say that I am very well again,” the Spaniard said.

The 14-time Grand Slam champions has won this particular ATP 500 Event on 8 occasions but suffered a shock exit last year when he was defeated by Nicolas Almagro 2-6 7-6(5) 6-4 in the quarterfinal stage.

Approaching the most crucial stretch of my season: Nadal

The Nine-time French Open also added that the current stretch of the season will be the most the crucial one for him.

"Monte Carlo was the first very positive week after my comeback in the beginning of the season. I have been working hard since I came back, but everything is a process. I arrive in a very important moment in my season and I need to make that click that I need to be competitive again at 100 per cent.

“The most important thing, what's helping me really, is that I have the right motivation to play tennis, the right motivation to work hard every day, and with the right attitude. That's why I was able to play better this week than the previous weeks," the 28-year-old said.