This content was published 8 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

Suddenly Rafael Nadal finds himself world number seven and with 600 points to protect after his run to the final last year knows he needs another good showing at the Foro Italico. Not that he is feeling the pressure and certainly will not be making any changes.

Even after his surprise defeat to Andy Murray in the final of Madrid on Sunday, Nadal arrives in Italy with exactly the same approach. And for a man who has won this tournament a total of seven times and lost two finals too, big things are still expected of him.

“I practiced yesterday, then two hours today and then here at the conference, I don’t see any change number seven or number four,” he joked.

“I live day by day but I think you’re wrong if you think last week was negative. I am used to playing on this surface and enjoy it.

“Here is very important for anybody. I’m focused on practice and trying to have good match tomorrow. I don’t see things that bad .I had a good tournament last week.

“(My tennis) is not good as it was in the past but I’m happy with my life. If I don’t win life continues.”

Nadal rejected claims he should part company with his coach, who i salso his uncle, Toni.

“If things don’t go well it’s not because of the coach,” he said. “I won with him all I won in my life, the fault is mine.

“I didn’t say anything about changing the coach. I believe I had the same team for all my career. I cannot predict tomorrow but my coach is more my uncle than my coach, family is more important than tennis.”