Novak Djokovic, who beat Rafael Nadal, 6-2, 6-2 in the final of Beijing, thinks that the Spaniard will eventually return to the top.
Nadal, a 14-time Grand Slam champion, has not won a major since last year's French Open. This year, he has won three tournaments, but hasn't been able to reach the finals of a Grand Slam or an ATP Master's 1000 tournament.
Djokovic admits that Nadal is not playing as well as he once was.
"I think it's obvious that he's not having the great season this year," Djokovic said. "Everybody has been talking about it because he had an incredible 10 years, set up such a high standard with results, winning at least one Grand Slam per year. That allows people to expect a lot from him.
"I feel like the experience that he has from his career and all the championships that he has won on different surfaces, the biggest trophies in the world, at the end of the day he's one of the best players ever to play this game. I'm sure he understands what he needs to do in order to come back to that highest level. He keeps on working hard. He's one of the most hard‑working guys on the tour. He spends a lot of time on the court. Sooner or later that will pay off."
Djokovic, a 10-time Grand Slam champion, has beaten Nadal three times this year without losing a set (in Monte Carlo, the French Open and Beijing).
Last year, Djokovic beat Nadal in Miami and Rome, but lost to the Spaniard in the final of the French Open. After winning his ninth Roland Garros title, Nadal missed most of the rest of the season with injuries.
In 2013, Nadal won 10 titles, splitting six matches with Djokovic, including beating the Serbian in the U.S. Open final.
"In terms of comparing his maybe level of the game from the last year or two years ago and now, there is difference," Djokovic said. "I can't pretend that it's the same because obviously results are showing that he's not performing as well as he did in last couple of years, and is making more mistakes from the forehand side."
Currently ranked No. 6, Nadal dealt with a foot injury in the Beijing final but is still entered to play the Shanghai ATP 1000 this week.