Nadal’s fit and committed to playing in Cincinnati, where he has a shot of becoming No 1

After suffering an injury setback in his training (his ab injury flared up), and opting out of the National Bank Open in Montreal, Rafael Nadal has declared himself fit and ready for his first competitive tennis since pulling out of the Wimbledon semi-final.

The 22-time major champion posted on Instagram that he is preparing to make his way to Cincinnati for next week’s Western and Southern Open.

“Very happy to play again in Cincy. Flying there tomorrow,” Nadal posted.

A return to No 1 is in the cards

Cincinnati has never been Nadal’s best event, but he is the 2013 champion, and if he can make a surprise run to the title the 36-year-old could make a return to the top of the ATP rankings.

According to the ATP, if Nadal wins the title in Cincinnati and current World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev fails to reach the quarter-finals, Nadal would rise to the top of the ranking for the ninth time and the 210th week.

Nadal has not held the No 1 ranking since February 2, 2020.

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