Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

After Rafael Nadal had his serve broken four times by one of his former ball boys at the China Open in Beijing, more questions are being asked of the former world no.1’s future. And his uncle Toni, the life-long tennis coach who nurtured an all-time great has admitted perhaps it might be time to expand the long-established back-up crew.

Uncle Toni is not suggesting it is time for him to be replaced as 29 year-old Rafa’s main advisor. Both player and coach are insistent that they will remain a constant for as long as the Majorcan’s career lasts.

But Toni curiously admitted in Beijing: “Maybe if next year Rafael is playing not too good, then I think he can think about some changes in his game or in his team.”

The senior Nadal was talking to AFP and he prefaced that telling remark by saying: “We have a group and I’m the coach of Rafael forever, since Rafael was three years old, and things were always good for us. It’s true that this year he’s going a little down but I am sure the comeback of Rafael is coming soon.”

Nadal is known to be concerned about the drop in his standard this year and the fact he has not won a Grand Slam title, or indeed progressed beyond the quarterfinal stage.

In fact, Nadal is no longer even the Spanish no.1 after falling behind David Ferrer in this week’s ATP World Tour Emirates rankings and he is now entering what is annually his least favored period of the season with European indoor events beckoning.

Currently placed 8th on the rankings and 7th in the Race to London, he struggled to beat China’s 230th-ranked Wu Di 6-4, 6-4 to reach the second round in Beijing and admitted he only played better in the concluding three games of the match.

However Nadal maintained: “I think I am working well. I am very motivated to go for that challenge that brings me the chance to overcome a tough situation for me. I love that feeling, and I am going to fight to make that happen.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.