TENNIS NEWS - Rafael Nadal said on Sunday that he is fit and ready to defend his Monte Carlo Masters title and the number-one ranking this week, as he returns to the ATP Tour after injury.
The 31-year-old made his comeback from a hip injury with two wins in Spain's Davis Cup quarterfinal victory over Germany last weekend, having not played previously since January's Australian Open.
Nadal was forced to retire from his last-eight clash with Marin Cilic in Melbourne, but recently usurped Roger Federer at the top of the world rankings after his great rival's early exit in Miami.
"I feel that I'm playing well. I had some good days of practice here, playing some good sets," Nadal said ahead of the start of the claycourt season.
