Santiago: Rafael Nadal arrived in Chile on Friday and will test his injured left knee in competition for the first time next week after sitting out for seven months - the longest break of his career. The 26-year-old Nadal will soon head off to the nearby coastal resort city of Vina del Mar, where he will play in his first event since being eliminated in the second round of Wimbledon in June.
Nadal, who will be trying to win his eighth French Open title later this year, said the knee still bothers him and that he may have to reduce his tournament appearances.
"My knee is much better, and this is the most important thing now because there's no risk of a big injury," Nadal said at the airport in Santiago. "But it's still bothering me, which will keep me from playing all the time, which I would like to do. You have to start somewhere," the Spaniard added. "I think this is the right moment and the right place."
Nadal is one of the best clay-court players in the history of the game, but he tried to downplay what might happen in Chile, and later this month in clay-court events in Brazil and Mexico.
"It's been months - seven months - since I've competed," Nadal said. "This will be my first time playing in a very long time. Anything can happen. I'll try not to let it happen, but you have to be prepared for everything and be patient."
Nadal has a round of appearances to make before he opens play, including a meeting with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, a big sports fan. Nadal's first test will come Tuesday in a doubles match with Juan Monaco, followed by his opening match Wednesday in singles.
"I'm here to give the best I have right now," Nadal said, "and hope the knee holds up."
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