Happier Nadal chasing his seventh French Open tennis title.

Rafael Nadal, like all tennis professionals, travels the world year in, year out, but even he finds it hard going at times.

The Spaniard is very attached to his sunny home on the Mediterranean island of Majorca where he has family and friends and where he can indulge himself in his latest passion for the game of golf.

Being away from all that for too much time can spill over onto his form as he admits was the case last year when he was dominated in a succession of finals by Novak Djokovic.

Twelve months on things have changed.

"I was saying that during practice and during the tournament my attitude is slightly more positive, and it's less difficult," he said following his 6-2 6-2 6-0 French Open second-round win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.

"Whereas last year, due to my attitude, which was less positive, it was more difficult for me.

"This year I'm having fun, a lot of fun, I'm happy, and I'm not suffering from the fact that I'm far from home."

Nadal, who is bidding this year to become the first man in history to win seven French Open titles, took time off after his shattering loss to Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open at the end of January to heal his aching knees.

He then took another timeout after withdrawing from his semi-final of the Miami Masters against Andy Murray and went into the claycourt season at Monte Carlo in top shape.

He won three of the four buildup tournaments to Roland Garros, losing only in Madrid where the blue, slippy clay surface was not to his liking.

Next up for Nadal in the third round is Eduardo Schwank of Argentina who defeated Florian Mayer of Germany 2-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4)