Nadal Back in New York for BNP Paribas Showdown

Rafael Nadal said it was a go for Indian Wells as he spoke at a pre-event press conference for the BNP Paribas Showdown in New York.

By Erik Gudris

Rafael Nadal Serena Williams BNP Paribas Showdown

(March 4th, 2013) -- Fresh off his dominant performance in the Acapulco finals, Rafael Nadal spoke about his upcoming schedule at a pre-event press conference for the BNP Paribas Showdown in New York.

Nadal, who is back in New York for the first time since the 2011 U.S. Open, said that he feels more confident about his knee that has been the source of concern since his comeback to action last month.

When asked about his schedule moving forward especially on hard courts, Nadal said, "I really cannot predict the future. I have to see how the knee will answer in Indian Wells next week. And just have the chance to play there is great. I didn't know one week ago if I will be able to play but the last couple of days the feeling in my knee was good. I go day by day. After seven months with a lot of pain in my knee, I don't have the chance to decide what will be my next event for the future. I try to enjoy every moment. So I will play Indian Wells and decide how I am and then decide the next event."

Nadal will participate in tonight's exhibition event with Juan Martin Del Potro, Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams. The event is also part of World Tennis Day and Tennis Night in America that seeks to inspire more young people to take up the sport.

Fresh off of her recent appearance in Chicago with U.S. first lady Michelle Obama at the "Let's Move" event to encourage kids fitness and childhood obesity, Williams was asked how tennis fights the problem of childhood obesity and serves as a way to get children more active,

"Well one of the big things with about childhood obesity is being active. And a lot of school programs are taking physical education out of school," said Williams."There's no opportunity for kids not being able to be active at home. So one of the goals is to raise awareness. Tennis is a great sport for that because you can be active and you can have fun. It's almost like a workout because you can work out your entire body by just doing one sport."

The BNP Paribas Showdown is scheduled for tonight at 8 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.

Martina Hingis and Cliff Drysdale Among International Tennis Hall of Fame Inductees.

Earlier in the day, International Tennis Hall of Fame President Stan Smith announced the new inductees of the International Tennis Hall of Fame for 2013.

Former No. 1 Martina Hingis headlined the group of new inductees who will be officially entered in July. In a statement Hingis said of the news, "Being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor. It is truly a privilege to be part of such an exclusive group of tennis icons."

Joining Hingis are former player and tennis broadcaster Cliff Drysdale, tennis promoter and industry leader Charlie Pasarell, Romanian tennis great and tennis promoter Ion Tiriac and Australian tennis legend Thelma Coyne Long who won 19 Grand Slam tournament titles between the 1930s and 1950s.

(Photo Credit: Erik Gudris)