Five improvements in Rafael Nadal's game post the US Open

There is no doubting that the year 2015 was Rafael Nadal’s most disappointing 12 months with the Spaniard failing to enter even the semifinals in any of the four Grand Slams.Nadal's standards dropped drastically and his game was below par when compared to arch rivals like Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. However, post-US open 2015, the 29-year-old has been making constant improvements in his game. Nadal has been gaining confidence and is moving a lot better on court. He also remained unbeaten at the ATP World Tour Finals in London in the group stages, before succumbing to Djokovic in the semifinals.Clearly, Nadal looked in much better rhythm and shape as compared to any time during the year and here’s a look at 5 alterations that he has made to his game ever since Flusing Meadows:

#5 Net approaches

Nadal now approaches the net a lot more often, thereby finishing the points. Rafa first pushes his players on the defensive and then approaches the net quickly and finishes the point. This strategy has worked well for the world no 5 and he has won 80% of his net approaches in the London week alone. Nadal also chips his volleys closer to the net when the opponent is far off at the baseline, thereby keeping the ball out of the opponents reach