Rafael Nadal: I feel mentally stable for the first time this year

Though after Rafa’s second round loss to journeyman Dustin Brown at Wimbledon last month, he didn’t seem like he was enjoying it.

Rafael Nadal eases past Sergiy Stakhovsky into the third round of the Rogers Cup with a 7-6[4] 6-3 victory. He’s experienced countless setbacks and injuries from the start which all take incredible amounts of strength to overcome.

After Wimbledon, Nadal chose to return to the clay in Hamburg, perhaps hoping to regain his old prowess on the dirt he’s always felt so comfortable on.

Not this year, which has begged the question, “What’s wrong with Rafa?”

Rafael Nadal slump has been one of the major stories this season. Yesterday he teamed with Fernando Verdasco to win his doubles opener. It’s been a slow road back to the recovery of his game and most importantly, confidence. “Focusing on the level, Novak Djokovic is a spot above everyone else, but I don’t think he is better than the other years”.

“Not getting rid of Uncle Toni, either”. When I wake up without motivation to improve, that will be the end. “He should probably stay around”. If Nadal doesn’t win the U.S. …

Stefanki even suggested a name, Andre Agassi.

“He can play his best tennis again”.

Agassi declined an interview request.

“Maybe bring in somebody that hears all the gossip on the street, that knows what’s going on”.

“I coached McEnroe in the twilight of his career and that’s what I did”.

Roig added that Nadal hasn’t competed as “his former self” but described that as normal after such a long period of consistency.

Nadal hinted in May at the Rome Masters that any coaching change was unlikely. It’s not known, and CNN’s request to speak with the elder Nadal wasn’t successful.