Injured Nadal targets Aus Open return

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Rafael Na­dal has admitted he is unlikely to play again this year as he set his sights on a return from injury at January’s Australian Op­en.
The former world No. 1 has been sidelined with tendonitis — inflammation in the knee — since withdrawing from July’s Olympic tournament and has not played since losing to unseeded Czech Lukas Rosol in Wimb­ledon’s second round.
However, the eleven-time Grand Slam winner refused to rule out playing in Spain’s Davis Cup final against Czech Republic in November, but admits it could be difficult to force himself into the team after a three-month absence.
“My biggest goal is to compete at Australian Op­en,” the 26-year-old Spa­n­­ia­rd is reported to have said.
“About the Davis Cup final, of course I would love to take part in it, but first I have to see if I will be ready technically and physically.
“We would have to ask whether I am the right choice to compete in a Spanish team that has been long preparing for this important tie considering also the months I have spent without playing. But that’s a decision that’s not mine.”