Nadal Keen To Return In Montreal

World No. 4 Rafael Nadal is due to return to action next week at the Rogers Cup in Montreal. The Spaniard has been practising at home in Mallorca since a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon (l. to Darcis) five weeks ago, and told Spanish press he is keen to resume his 2013 campaign after a stellar four months on his comeback from injury.

“I’m approaching this part of the season in exactly the same way,” said Nadal. “Of course, what happened in the four months I’ve been able to compete this year was fantastic, but there’s still lots more to come and you have to be well prepared.”

The 27-year-old Nadal has compiled a 43-3 mark in 10 tournaments since his comeback in February from the left knee injury that sidelined him for the second half of the 2012 season. He won seven titles from nine finals, including victory at Roland Garros, with Wimbledon the only disappointment.

He goes into Montreal looking to win his 25th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown and fourth of the season following victories at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (d. del Potro), the Mutua Madrid Open (d. Wawrinka) and the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome (d. Federer). He has won the Canadian ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament twice before, in Montreal in 2005 (d. Agassi) and in Toronto in 2008 (d. Kiefer).

“I will try to arrive competitive in Montreal,” said Nadal, “because seven weeks without playing isn’t ideal for competing in such a difficult tournament, with the best players in the world. But I’ll do everything possible for things to go well.”