Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Rafael Nadal still has a faithful and unwavering fan in Barcelona Open tournament boss Albert Costa, who is sure that the flagging Spaniard will recover his classic form once he hits the familiar territory of European spring clay.

“He’s overcome injuries, last year he lacked confidence and in 2016, he has not had big results. But I have spoken to him and he is fighting to recover his form, and I am sure he will improve his tennis and will realize his goal,” 2002  French Open winner Costa told Spain’s Mundo Deportivo.

The 40-year-old Costa is preparing for another huge welcome for Nadal at next month’s Barcelona Open, where Kei Nishikori will be bidding for a rate third straight title at the Real Club de Tenis; Nadal has won eight home titles, the last in 2013.

Nadal is still searching for a 2016 title after failing to sweep up a pair of South American events last month, the poor performance coming after his first-round shock exit at the Australian Open against Fernando Verdasco.

“With Rafa Nadal you have to be patient because he has the will and motivation. As I know, he is working on a daily basis so that he can improve, surely he will win more important tournaments,” Costa said. “He’s overcome injuries, last year he lacked confidence and in 2016, he has not had big results.

“But I have spoken to him and he is fighting to recover his form, and I am sure he will improve his tennis and will realize his goal.”

One of Nadal’s minor problems could be with the new sets of strings he’s been trying out this season, His dissatisfaction is such that the 29-year-old is said to be switching back to his former strings as he heads onto the hardcourts of Indian Wells this week. They are the same strings used by Roger Federer, Serena Williams Grigor Dimitrov and Victoria Azarenka.

Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.