Rafael Nadal makes surprising claim after returning to the top of tennis
RAFAEL NADAL has revealed that every day he doubts his ability - despite being the best player in the world.
The Spaniard finished the season at the top of the world rankings, 1,040 points ahead of second-placed Roger Federer.
Nadal has had a glittering career winning 16 Grand Slam titles over a 12 year period, including the French and US Opens this term.
However, he has recently explain how he blanks out the criticism received from a small section of tennis fans.
He says that he is also critical of his performances but he does not use the negativity to motivate himself.
I understand that the doubts are logical, I also have them, every day I doubt myself.
"I understand that the doubts are logical, I also have them, every day I doubt myself,” Nadal told SER.
“It's a reality, then I go out to play and I have confidence that things will turn out well.
"I do not find motivation in criticism or outside doubt, I do not have a spirit of revenge.
“It would not help me to play better, one must have a cool head, I have a personal motivation and I always see the positive things that people bring to me."
Nadal is currently on the mend from a knee injury which cut short his ATP World Tour Finals in London last month.
But he says he hopes to be fully recovered in time for the Abu Dhabi Exhibition later this month.
Nadal will be hoping to take his 2017 form into next season, which starts with the Australian Open in January.
But there are a couple of areas he wants to work on before the next season gets underway.
"I have to work the position on the track, I have to upload more to the network,” Nadal added.
