INDIAN WELLS — Now that Rafael Nadal has dominated the field at another prestigious tennis tournament, the possibility he will achieve the sport's ultimate feat seems more plausible.

But can he be the first man to win the Grand Slam since Rod Laver captured all four major tournaments in 1969?

The Spaniard has doubted his chances in the past, and his answer didn't change after he beat Andy Murray on Sunday in the final of the BNP Paribas Open.

“It's almost impossible,” Nadal said after his victory Sunday. “That's my feeling.”

But after his performance at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, it is becoming less possible to foresee Nadal losing. After saving five match points in his fourth-round victory against David Nalbandian, he didn't drop a set to Juan Martin del Potro, Andy Roddick or Murray on his way to the title.

While the media and fans are considering the future, Nadal refuses to look ahead.

“You never know what's going on in two months, five months, in seven months, so it's very difficult to play during all the year at the same level, your best level,” he said.

But Nadal's previous results at three remaining Grand Slams are encouraging. In two months, he will defend his title at the French Open, which he has won four consecutive times. Then comes Wimbledon, which he claimed in epic fashion against Roger Federer last year, and the U.S. Open, where he reached the semifinals for the first time in 2008.

Those peerless results form quite a formidable résumé, but Nadal insists he is vulnerable.

“If I am playing at my best level, if Murray has a good day, he has a good chance to beat me or Federer or (Novak) Djokovic or a lot of players,” Nadal said.

That humble assertion seemed absurd, however, as Nadal began to explain how his game has become more versatile.

“I can do more things than before,” Nadal said. “I can change the rhythm with one slice backhand like today.”

He said he is also playing closer to the baseline and reducing the amount of running he does every match. The overall effect on his game likely makes his opponents shudder.

“Right now, I have more times the control of the point than before,” Nadal said.

But that wasn't the most frightening revelation for the Spaniard's opponents. He said he wasn't at his best this week, despite winning his second Indian Wells tournament title.

“I was practicing really well during all the week,” he said. “I think some of the moments this week I practiced better than what I played, which is strange (for) me.”