Former world number one Rafael Nadal has expressed his happiness following his return to the tennis court from injury.
The Spaniard played alongside Juan Monaco in a doubles match in Chile yesterday evening in what was his first competitive encounter since Wimbledon in June of last year.
Speaking after the 6-3 6-2 win over Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy, 26-year-old Nadal admitted that it felt good to be back competing.
"It was a great feeling to play again and I'm very happy for doing it with a friend like Monaco in a great atmosphere that we had on the court," said Nadal. "In doubles the effort is always less [taxing].
"We will see how it goes in singles and how my physical condition is. I chose this tournament because it is the perfect time and surface."
Nadal will make his return to singles action tonight against Argentine Federico Delbonis.
