RAFAEL NADAL KING OF TENNIS

Photos: Diario de Mallorca; mascophoto_smallorca; Deportescopebaleares; j.llado_fotografia

Rafa on his return to the courts: "Until things are 100% sure, I can't say much, in the end I don't know either. As I mentioned some weeks ago, my idea is to be in Abu Dhabi and play there on the 17th & 18th, and that's still my plan. However things are being analyzed week by week, as always, keeping in my mind that I want to return as early as possible, but above all I want to return being in good shape."

Rafa on his level when he returns: "You don't know until you increase the load and test yourself at the highest level. For now I'm doing what I have to do right now, what I've been told. I'm usually quite obedient & what I'm told to do is what I do. I'm currently in that process. Things are better than before, otherwise I'd not consider going to Abu Dhabi. But I don't know what will happen in the future. Abu Dhabi is a test for me and I'm motivated to be there."

Rafa on Spain being out of the Davis Cup: "A pity, after having won 3-0 & lost 1-2, which was something we could aim at at the beginning [of the competition]. We were much closer once Feli played such an amazing match, but chances went away. We were a bit unlucky, as with those scores there were many options to advance, but numbers weren't by our side. It was really a pity, but the truth is that the situation was really difficult." 

Translated by Genny SS