Rafael Nadal insists knee injury that saw him miss last year’s US Open is not a major issue ahead of this year’s tournament at Flushing Meadows.
The Spaniard was sidelined between July of last year and this February but managed to successfully defend his French Open crown as he landed a record eighth title in Paris.
However, Nadal’s bid for the Wimbledon title fell apart in the first round as he was dumped out by Belgian Steve Darcis.
It has been suggested that Nadal’s long-standing knee problem is causing him more problems but the world number four insists his knee is not a huge concern.
He told the Balearic Islands TV station Esports IB3: “The knee is the same like before.
“What I have to do is keep working so it will allow me to play at a higher level.
“If I am a little bit worse than others physically, it’s my problem.”
Nadal will compete in both the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters events next month as preparation for the US Open at Corona Park in Queens, New York City.
The decision to play in both Masters tournaments may come as a surprise to some as Nadal had been expected to enter just one hard court event prior to the next Grand Slam in the USA in order to avoid any further complications with his knee.
However, Nadal insists his schedule is well managed and remains upbeat on his chances in the two Masters events, having won seven of the ten tournaments he has entered since his return from injury.
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