Rafael Nadal because I

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Roger Federer Wimbledon

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LONDON - Rafael Nadal was accentuating the positive, with his eye on next week’s Davis Cup final and the 2010 ATP season, following an opening loss at the World Tour Finals.

The world number two expects to stay in his current position behind Roger Federer after dropping a group match to Swede Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-4.

“My level right now I think is not (enough) to be number one,” he admitted Monday. “My level is to be still fighting and practising hard to be ready as soon as possible to compete another time with equal conditions with everybody.

“Going on the court, with the full confidence in myself against everybody, that’s what I’m working (on).”

The Spaniard whose season was compromised by injury which forced him to a loss against Soderling at Roland Garros and prevented him from defending his Wimbledon title, is still not quite ready to write off 2009 with the Davis date against the Czech Republic starting a week from Friday.

“I’m not tired, I had a long time outside of competition. My season doesn’t finish until the Davis Cup final next week. The second half of 2009 was difficult for me, and probably I lost little bit of the necessary out of confidence and necessary calm.

“I’m not far away from my best level. This year is going to be extremely hard to finish really well. But I’m gonna work very hard to start next year very good. I believe in myself, that I can come back playing really well next year.”

Nadal will try and make the best of what could end up as just a few days off for holidays after the Davis Cup and before the start of his first commitment for the new season — an exhibition in Abu Dhabi where Federer and Soderling will also be competing on New Year’s Eve.

“I have one week of Davis Cup, and after, practise in Mallorca. That’s what I have to recover my hundred percent level to start next year with good level and chances to win in every place that I play.”