Cost is extremely heavy for having neglected the clay season.
There is no other way to spin this:
He knew this could happen and he even said it himself. He said that he was entering the most important part of his season and that he could drop dangerously low in the rankings.
It all boils down less than optimal hunger and drive. I am afraid I can't see it any other way.
People post his practice sessions all over the place. they are lazy 90 minute sessions where he can't get himself to hit more than 2 backhands in a row.
He hangs out in his backhand corner trying to hit just forehands.
There is still tremendous demand for his time and his appearances all over the globe.
He lost his focus and his absolutely relentless will to win in the last 2 years.
It has been a steady decline in his game and in his fitness and in his physicality.
And he won't change a thing. So you can see the results of all that.
Nothing less than a single minded focus and hunger to win can fix this.
the damage is not just substantial. It his monumental.
He threw away his chance at the record.
And on top of that Djokovic can run away with the most masters shields and more than 14 slams.
Rafa is the only one that can stop him.
The window to that is nearly closed. Soon it will be locked shut at the current rate.
Rafa has to find a way to win Rome.