Rafael Nadal rested and ready for US Open title defence

World No.1 Rafael Nadal feels well rested and on good form as he prepares to defend his title at the US Open next month.

The Spaniard arrived in New York having skipped the Masters event in Cincinnati, off the back of his victory the week before in Toronto.

At 32, and having suffered with injuries throughout his career, the 17-time Grand Slam champion is managing his schedule more carefully than ever.

“It’s been a positive year, of course,” Nadal said.

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“Since I came back, I was playing well and winning a lot of matches. Toronto gave me the possibility to rest a little bit. I’m getting a little bit older, as everybody knows.

“I took that week, nothing against Cincinnati, it’s about just trying to save my body, to play as long as possible. That’s something that I’m really looking forward to making happen, and let’s see. I rested, I practised and here I am.”

Always looking ahead…@RafaelNadal ????#USOpen pic.twitter.com/7dDZ4Hqlsw

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 23, 2018

Since winning his third US title last year, Nadal was forced to retire during his Australian Open quarterfinal against Marin Cilic in January, before once again dominating on clay and claiming his 11th French Open title.

A rejuvenated Novak Djokovic and world No.2 Roger Federer appear to be the main threats to Nadal’s title defence in New York.

“I think it’s not clear, one favourite,” Nadal said.

“Even when somebody thinks somebody’s a clear favourite, from inside it doesn’t look like this. Of course Novak, Roger, they’re doing very well. Especially [since] they like the hard courts. Let’s see, let’s see what’s going on.”

Nadal will open his US Open campaign against compatriot David Ferrer, the man he beat in the 2013 French Open final.

Ferrer, 36, has since slipped to 148 in the world rankings as he approaches the final stages of his career.