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Nadal delighted with 'unforgettable' week

Rafael Nadal celebrates his third Indian Wells title © Getty Images

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Rafael Nadal has hailed his record-breaking BNP Paribas Open title win as one of the most memorable victories of his career.

Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro after going a set behind in Sunday's final to claim his 22nd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophy, his third at Indian Wells and his 600th overall career victory.

Following his return from a seven-month break to recover from well-documented knee troubles in February, Nadal was understandably elated when reflecting on a memorable week which has seen him return to the world's top four.

"It's probably one of the most emotional victories of my career," said Nadal. "The support since I came back has been huge.

"It's an unforgettable week for me and an unforgettable tournament."

Victory ensured a career-best start to the ATP World Tour for Nadal, who has won seventeen 17 out of 18 matches with 14 consecutive wins.

"When you have one comeback like I'm having, you remember all the low things, lower moments that you had during the seven months," Nadal told the ATP's official website.

"Hopefully I passed and can just remember all the people that really helped me a lot during all this time.

"A lot of things happened the last seven months, [so] to be back here and to have this very heavy trophy with me is amazing.

"Beating three top 10 players and winning a title like this is just something unbelievable for me. I'm very, very happy and very emotional."

Nadal confirmed his scheduled withdrawal from the upcoming Sony Open, stating he will return to ATP duty at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters next month.

Men's rankings: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 2. Roger Federer (SUI), 3. Andy Murray (GBR), 4. Rafael Nadal (ESP), 5. David Ferrer (ESP), 6. Tomas Berdych (CZE), 7. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG), 8. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA), 9. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB), 10. Richard Gasquet (FRA).

Women's rankings: 1. Serena Williams (USA), 2. Maria Sharapova (RUS), 3. Victoria Azarenka (BLR), 4. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL), 5. Li Na (CHN), 6. Angelique Kerber (GER), 7. Sara Errani (ITA), 8. Petra Kvitova (CZE), 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), 10. Samantha Stosur (AUS).

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