By Erik Gudris | Sunday, September 28, 2014

 

Rafael Nadal, before starting play at this week's China Open in Beijing, talked about his recent injury and comeback.

Photo Credit: AP

After spending the late summer away from tennis due to a wrist injury, Rafael Nadal is looking forward to competition and putting his recent setback behind him.

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Nadal, playing in his first tournament in over three months at this week's China Open, spoke to the media on Saturday.

“I am fine,” Nadal said about his wrist injury per ATP.com. “I am much better. The thing is the injury, the evolution of the injury, was a bit slow and took a little bit of time. But that's it. I just feel the wrist a little bit when I am starting, when I start to play every day, but then it disappears. I'm in good conditions to compete again.”

Nadal, who was forced to withdraw during the recent North American hard court swing including the US Open, is hoping to get back on track. But Nadal admits he expects it to be difficult without a lot of recent match play.

"This part of the season has always been a little bit difficult for me, and will be for sure even more this year after stopping for three months at the middle of the season. That was really bad news for me. But the last part of the season remains. I am going to try to be ready for it. I don't know in which condition I am going to be in, in terms of tennis, in these two tournaments, but I hope to practice and play as much as possible to be in rhythm again."

The reigning French Open champion took part in an earlier exhibition versus Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Kazakhstan before flying over to China.

Currently ranked No. 2, Nadal will start his singles campaign against France's Richard Gasquet. Before that, Nadal will get in some extra hits as he competes in doubles for only the second time this season.

Nadal pairs with fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar as they face off against a big serving team of Tomas Berdych and John Isner on Monday.