Former world No.1 Rafael Nadal has said he is in good physical health ahead of his return to competitive tennis next week.
The multiple grand slam champion will be the top seed at the Rogers Cup in Canada. Where he will be defending 1000 ranking points after winning the Masters tournament last year. His only triumph on a hard court over the past 18 months. Nadal will be the only member of the top three to feature in the tournament. Both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have opted to miss Canada in order to have a longer rest period.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday during the launch of the second edition of Manocor Challenger, the world No.2 said his preparation has gone well. Nadal hasn’t played a match since losing to Federer in the semi-finals of the Wimbledon Championships.
“I think that this year I am on a good physical basis, I am strong.” Mundo Deportivo quoted Nadal as saying.
“I will soon be travelling to Montreal, I want to be there a few days to finish my preparation for the 1,000 Masters that will be held from August 5 to 11.”
Looking further afield Nadal’s participation in the Western and Southern Open is up in the air at the moment. On the tournament website he is down as officially entering the competition, which will start in less than two week’s time. However, the 33-year-old has now said that it depends on how he performs in Canada.
“Depending on what happens in Montreal, I will decide about the Cincinnati Masters,” he said. “Cincinnati is an option.”
“What I do know is that I want to get well prepared for the US Open, the last tournament of the (North American) season.”
So far this season, Nadal has achieved a win-loss record of 37-6. Winning titles in Rome and at the French Open. Five of those wins have been over top 10 opponents.
Until the end of the US Open, Nadal has a total of 1720 ranking points to defend. Which is almost 1000 more than Federer, who is aiming to reclaim the world No.2 spot from the Spaniard.
The Rogers Cup will get underway on Monday.
