I must keep improving, says world number one Nadal
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The world number one beat fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-4 7-5 in Sunday's final but explained he was still a little rusty on clay, his favorite surface.
"I'm pleased with how the first week (on clay) has gone," Nadal told a news conference at the Barcelona Open on Monday.
"I need to use the confidence from the first week to keep improving. I have to be more aggressive, to serve better and to finish off points more emphatically and with more authority."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After Barcelona, Nadal will compete in Madrid, Rome and then at the French Open in Paris, giving him three possible chances of a clash with in-form Serb Novak Djokovic.
The world number two has won 24 successive matches in 2011, including final victories over Nadal at Indian Wells and Miami, and a claycourt showdown between the two is eagerly anticipated.
It was put to Nadal that Djokovic rather than Roger Federer was now his main rival for the number one spot.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"He (Djokovic) has started very well and I congratulate him," said the five-times French Open champion.
"Roger and I have played many important matches, with great moments for each of us. The year is very long and he (Djokovic) is in a privileged position but unfortunately I have to worry about many others as well.
"I'm not invincible on clay. I have lost before and unfortunately I have plenty more games I will lose in the future. It has gone well for me in recent years but no one is perfect." (Writing by Mark Elkington, editing by Tony Jimenez)