More than three months since Rafael Nadal last competed on the ATP World Tour, the Spaniard makes his long-awaited return to action at the China Open.
Persistent right wrist pain forced Nadal to the sidelines following a Round of 16 defeat to Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon, and the 28 year old has since seen his World No. 1 mantle wrestled away by rival Novak Djokovic.
As the 2005 champion (d. Coria) returns to Beijing for the fourth time, he says he is refreshed and ready to embark on the home stretch of the 2014 season, with the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals fast approaching.
"I am fine," said Nadal as he spoke to media on Saturday in Beijing. "I am much better. The thing is the injury, the evolution of the injury, was a bit slow and took a little bit of time. But that's it. I just feel the wrist a little bit when I am starting, when I start to play every day, but then it disappears. I'm in good conditions to compete again."
Absent throughout the duration of the Emirates Airline US Open Series, Nadal was unable to defend his crowns at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati, as well as at the US Open. The 2013 runner-up in the Chinese capital city (12-2 overall record) will look to get back on track as he seeks his third title on Asian soil, but the Mallorca native was quick to temper expectations.
"My motivation is always high. I am coming here to Beijing for a big tournament," Nadal added. "The best players are here. I try my best always. It's not because I'm coming back from an injury. This part of the season has always been a little bit difficult for me, and will be for sure even more this year after stopping for three months at the middle of the season. That was really bad news for me.
"But the last part of the season remains. I am going to try to be ready for it. I don't know in which condition I am going to be in, in terms of tennis, in these two tournaments, but I hope to practise and play as much as possible to be in rhythm again."
No. 2 seed Nadal opens his China Open campaign with a 13th FedEx ATP Head2Head encounter against Richard Gasquet, seeking to improve to 13-0. A potential semi-final against third seed Tomas Berdych or big-serving John Isner looms large, as does top seed Novak Djokovic in the final.
Nadal is also slated to compete in doubles for the second time this year, partnering with countryman Pablo Andujar. They will face the Czech-American tandem of Berdych and Isner in the first round.
"Beijing is always an important city in my career. I know I won in 2005. Last year I played the final here, became No. 1 [in the Emirates ATP Rankings]. I feel comfortable here. I like the tournament. I like the city. I feel comfortable here."
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