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Nadal admits nerves ahead of Monte Carlo

Rafael Nadal is ready for a return to action © Getty Images

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Rafael Nadal has admitted he is nervous ahead of the start of the Monte Carlo Masters, as he prepares to play competitively for the first time since suffering a knee injury last month.

Nadal pulled out of his Sony Ericsson Open semi-final against Andy Murray with knee pain and has since been undergoing treatment in his native Spain.

The 25-year-old is now bidding for an unprecedented eighth consecutive title at the Monte Carlo Country Club, but ahead of his opening match against Jarkko Nieminen, Nadal has admitted he has concerns over his fitness.

"I'm scared because this is the start to an important season for me," said Nadal, in reference to his troublesome knee. "Hopefully it will work well. Now it's time to see how good it is.

"I need to be able to play at my top level and run without thinking about the knee. I've put all the effort in and hopefully it is well and I can train in the right conditions. That's the most important thing for me today."

Nadal was unable to train for a fortnight after his Miami retirement, and only returned to playing on clay last week.

"I hope I can now train without impediments," he said, before adding his criticism over the ATP's preference for hardcourt events.

"Clay means less damage for the knees and the body," said the clay specialist. "The worst surface for player health is hardcourt. We are wrong to play more and more on hard and less and less on clay and grass."

Some focus has also been thrown on the fact that Nadal's last success came at the 2011 French Open, but he feels no pressure.

"I haven't won a title, but how many finals have I played?" commented Nadal, who has played in four finals since his Roland Garros triumph. It all depends on your calendar. If I played more on clay, like in South America or after Wimbledon, I would have better chances of winning titles.

"There are players there [at lower-profile events[ who can beat you, but the chances are better. But I don't make my calendar to win titles, I want to compete at the most important events against the best players of the world.

"I'm not playing only on my best surface, but to try and win titles. That makes it more difficult. But I don't feel pressure just because I haven't won since Roland Garros."

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