Rafael Nadal hit headlines for all the wrong reasons last week after he was eliminated in just the first round of the Australian Open.

He was ousted by compatriot Fernando Velasco in five sets but the way that he played was of more concern for fans who were observing that match.

Nadal could not hide his frustrations for his ouster, saying that he had practiced hard and prepared for the major tourney. His exit adds to a list of setbacks stemming from injuries which have somehow altered his playing style.

In a previous post, retired tennis player Justin Gimelstop did single out one glaring change in Nadal’s game: his serve.

“When he was at his best and you look at his stats, he was serving in the low 130s and high 120s. Now he’s just spinning the ball in, it seems. For him, there’s only so much you can run down,” he says via USA Today.

In the same post, it was also mentioned if changing coaches would be a remedy. Rafael Nadal says that changing coaches was not the answer, and that everything happening right now is all because of bad luck.

Recently, however, it seems that his uncle Toni is ready to step aside if it serves the greater good.

"I understand that in sports, results come first and if you have to make a change, you have to do it," says Toni Nadal to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.

Ultimately, it may all depend on what Rafa will decide. He reiterates that it was just not his time and has not hinted of any changes in guidance for now.

If it is indeed bad luck, Nadal has had quite a string of it. Retirement has been raised, but at just 29 years of age, it may be hard to even consider such for the 14-time Grand Slam tennis champion.

His recent loss marks the first time that Nadal has failed to win a major title in 10 years. One thing he does admit is that the game has changed, with players nowadays playing more aggressively, which seems to be more than he can handle.

For his part, Toni feels that a shift in style at this point may be easier said than done.

"The strategy he has played with his whole life matters less now. It isn't easy to change style after 15 years."