Rafael Nadal claims he can still find positives from his week in Rome despite suffering a third defeat on clay in one season for the first time in 10 years.

The Spaniard, who slumped to a three-set loss to archrival Novak Djokovic in the final at the Foro Italico, heads to Roland Garros with only one European clay title under his belt for the first time in his career.

Nadal capped a shaky week in the Italian capital with a flat performance against Djokovic, whose victory yesterday was only his fourth in 17 meetings on clay against the Mallorcan.

The world No1 spent eight hours and 42 minutes on court in his first three games in Rome, going the distance against Gilles Simon, Mikhail Youzhny and Andy Murray, before hitting his stride against Grigor Dimitrov in the semis. 

The Spaniard says the accumulated fatigue from those tough battles caught up with him during his final with Djokovic yesterday.

“He’s one of the best in the world, he’s playing great,” said Nadal of the world No2.

“I played well for moments, I had my chances for moments, but I could have done with a little more energy at times. My legs didn’t answer me after a tough week.

“I was able to find positive things during the tournament but I played three very tough matches this week and it was very hard mentally, as well as physically. I was a little bit tired.”

Still Nadal insists he is playing better than he was a week ago, when he captured the title in Madrid, and approaches his title defence in Paris more confident that earlier in the clay season, where he lost in the quarters in both Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

“My feeling for Roland Garros is better now than one week ago. I’m doing the right things,” he added.

The French Open kicks off on May 25 where Nadal targets a record-extending ninth trophy.