Former world's no.1 Rafael Nadal vows to attack the competition for the remaining months of the ATP season after staying off the court for over a month due to an injured wrist.
In an interview following his exhibition win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Kazakhstan, the 28-year old Nadal said he's looking to play for the remainder of the ATP season, even though retaining the no.1 ranking he lost to Novak Djokovic becomes very much remote.
However, that doesn't mean he won't give up the fight easily. Nadal stressed that he's very much motivated to get back to his top level and become a major force once again in the ATP Tour.
"Every time when I come back after an injury I have an extra motivation," Nadal said. "I'm set to work hard to gain my top form and to return to my level. I'm very happy to have an opportunity to play tennis - my favourite occupation,"
"I feel much better, I am in good shape. I am trying to forget the wrist. I am trying to get back into a rhythm but that takes time. I will play in Beijing and Shanghai. My goal is to play and practice as much as possible and be ready for the end of the season."
Nadal, who recaptured the word's no.1 last year by reaching the final of the Beijing Open, did not hide his excitement to play competitive tennis again in the Chinese' main city after missing three major hard-court tournament with a fractured right wrist.
"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," said Rafa as he spoke to media on Saturday in Beijing.
Nadal will be facing veteran netter Richard Gasquet of France in the first round. The Majorcan Bull has 9-0 head-to-head advantage over the French, but nobody counts out Gasquet, who has the tools to beat any opponent in any given day.
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