LONDON - Rafael Nadal has banned himself from having an end-of-season holiday even if he wins the ATP Tour Finals because he doesn't believe he deserves a break after a frustrating 2015 campaign.
Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Spain's David Ferrer during a men's singles group stage match on day six of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament in London on November 20, 2015
Nadal has endured the worst year of his glittering career, with his long reign as French Open champion coming to an end before embarrassing early exits from Wimbledon and the US Open.
The former world number one's ranking plunged down to 10th at one stage and it has taken him several months to rediscover a semblance of his best form.
Nadal has been close to his top level at the Tour Finals this week, winning all three group matches to set up a semi-final showdown with world number one Novak Djokovic on Saturday.
But the Spaniard has no intention of letting his strong showing in London convince him to take it easy before the 2016 campaign gets underway, even if he wins the prestigious event for the first time.
Instead he will have only a few days off before embarking on a rigorous training regime in a bid to hit the ground running at the Australian Open in January.
"I didn't make the right work. I don't deserve a vacation this year," Nadal told reporters when asked about his off-season plans.
"I'm going to have a couple of days off after here, then I have a charity event for my foundation.
"After that I'm going to practise physical performance. Probably Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I'm going to be in the gym.
"Then the next week I'm going to practise a little bit of tennis and more physical performance. I'm going to be practising a lot every day.
"I have Joao Sousa coming to practise with me in Mallorca for a few more days."
- Bitter memories -
Nadal will also take part in the Indian Premier Tennis League in the coming weeks, but his main focus is erasing the bitter memories of the last 11 months.
Despite being written off by main doubters, the 29-year-old is hopeful his better results in the latter weeks of the season will prove the ideal springboard to return to the top next year.
"I'm well. When you are coming after a tough period and suddenly you feel better then you feel fresh," he said.
"In terms of motivation for me it's great to see myself competing against the best and competing well. That's a lot of positive energy.
"At the same time I am working so hard out of the competitions to compete well.
"The main thing for me is keep going the same way, keep practising the same way to try to start next year with that energy that I have today.
"If I am able to keep playing like this I think next year can be a positive year for me."
Before that he will try to secure just his second win in his last nine meetings with Djokovic.
"Against Novak, I know what I have to do. But it can be very difficult to make it. (It) is a big challenge. But I am not worried about it," Nadal said.
"He plays in a very good surface for him. He plays a tournament that he won already couple of times. He come here after having an amazing season. All the positive things are for him.
"But for me it's a motivation. I know that, and I am here to try my best. Then if it's not enough, it's fine."