Reader TTS

Nadal skipped the final few events of last year after a string of injuries brought his season to a premature end. But the Spaniard is hoping to bounce back stronger this time around as he

attempts to regain the world No 1 crown. To do so, Nadal has been working with his coaching team of Carlos Moya and Francis Roig to change his serving technique for the first time in his

career. The trio think they have found a formula which adds extra speed following the initial bounce - which will be a surprise weapon to all who stand in his way. "We are looking for

more damage and for the ball to go a little faster," Moya told the ATP Tour website. "We had always had the feeling that Rafa's ball was fast in the service, but when he

bounced it stopped a bit. "Now, with a more fluid movement, we want the ball to bounce and not lose all that speed." World No 1 Djokovic is the favourite to win the first Grand

Slam of the season. Defending champion Federer is also one of the front-runners. But Roig is confident Nadal's dangerous delivery will give him a chance of winning an 18th major

tournament. "The change is based on three pillars," Roig said. "The first, that when he starts to execute the swing, he takes his hand for a while longer down, instead of

lifting it laterally. "The second, that at the moment of throwing the ball into the air does not make so much flex, it holds much more the body up, well upright, instead of sitting down

because it thus loses dynamism. "And the third, who enters well with the right leg inside the track after falling. "Besides, with the second serve the parable that makes the ball

is now a little different. "I have a little more risk, but also a little more advantage: the opponent has a hard time understanding the movement of the ball because he is more

aggressive."