• ATP Tour

Returning Nadal targets World Tour Finals in London

ESPN staff
October 4, 2012
Rafael Nadal has not played since June © PA Photos
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Rafael Nadal will return to training in two weeks' time in order to give himself every chance of playing at the ATP World Tour Finals at London's O2 Arena.

Nadal has not played since he was shocked by Lukas Rosol in the second round at Wimbledon. The former world No. 1 has been nursing a knee injury and recently told ESPN he may not return until 2013.

However, that prognosis improved on Wednesday when it emerged Nadal would feature in an Abu Dhabi exhibition event, which commences on December 27. The Mubadala World Tennis Championship features a six-man lineup.

And even better news was delivered by Nadal's uncle Toni, who told Fox Sports that the Spaniard still plans to play at the World Tour Finals, and the Davis Cup final.

"In 15 days, Rafa will resume training, in time for him to aim to play in the Masters and the final of the Davis Cup," Toni Nadal said.

Should Nadal feature in the London event, which takes place in November, he could come face-to-face with home favourite Andy Murray, who is enjoying the best year of his tennis career. Nadal recently told ESPN that, after Murray won his maiden grand slam at the US Open, he expects the Brit to go on and win several more.

"Andy's a very complete player all round. It's hard for me to speak about any specific area of his game which is particularly hard to face," Nadal said. "He basically has it all, a great serve, backhand, forehand, he's fast, and he's a fantastic player all round.

"In recent years he's become a bit more consistent which is something you find with time, and he's one of the best in the world."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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