Returning seven-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal says he doesn’t expect to get back to his best tennis until March despite hitting the court for the first time in months this week.
Nadal, 26, will return this week to play in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi after almost six months out of the game due to a knee injury.
However, Nadal revealed to Spanish daily ABC he didn’t expect to be anywhere near his best just yet.
“My goal is not this week, nor even Doha (from December 31) or Australia,” he said. “My goal is to be in shape, get back to feeling completely fine and feeling completely prepared.
“My season, my real objective, is to be in perfect condition for Indian Wells and Miami (in March) and get to Monte Carlo (in April) with good feelings, to tackle the clay season in good shape.
“The last tournament I played in good shape was Roland Garros and I won it. The end of February or March is when I will feel good. That’s when my season starts, that’s when I’ll tell myself that I am ready to win.”