PARIS, Oct 21 (AFP): Rafael Nadal announced on Tuesday that he will compete in the Paris Masters next month, despite previously saying he might not play again this season.
The 34-year-old won a record-extending 13th French Open title earlier this month with a one-sided final victory over world number one Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros.
"It's indoor season time… this picture was earlier today practicing at @rnadalacademy," he posted on Twitter alongside a photo of him training.
"And yes… getting ready for #ParisBercy."
The Paris Masters is scheduled to run from November 2-8.
Any health rules to be implemented for the event due to the coronavirus are yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has decided not to enter the Paris Masters because he has no points to win at the Nov. 2-8 event as he bids to retain the world number one spot come end of season, the 33-year-old Serb said.
"I won't play in Paris as I can't add to my points tally but I will go to Vienna and London," Djokovic told Wednesday's edition of Belgade daily Sportski Zurnal.
"I can win up to 500 points in Vienna as I didn't play there last year and there are also a lot of points available in London."
Djokovic clinched a record 36th ATP Masters crown when he won the Italian Open title in Rome last month, surpassing Rafael Nadal who confirmed he would enter the Paris Masters after winning his 13th French Open title on October 11.
Djokovic, who won the Paris Masters last year, will not lose any points over skipping the event because the ATP Tour's revised ranking system due to the Covid-19 pandemic allows players to retain points from last year.
Asked if he was content to allow world number two Nadal to catch up with him in the Masters race, Djokovic said: "It's not my priority. My immediate task is to collect as many points as I can in a bid to put as much distance between myself and the chasing pack ahead of next season.
"I want to go down in history as the world number one with the most weeks at the top of the ATP Tour and I will do all I can to make it happen.
"Whether Nadal plays in Paris or not changes nothing because it's all in my hands."
Meanwhile, Roger Federer is practising pain-free after undergoing two knee surgeries this year and says he expects to return to the circuit at the Australian Open in January.
The 39-year-old Swiss reached the semi-finals at Melbourne Park at the start of the year but missed the rest of the season after undergoing a second arthroscopic procedure on his right knee.
"I'm on the right track," the 20 times Grand Slam singles champion told German-language magazine Schweizer Illustrierte.
"I'm gradually coming back but I'm going to take my time and don't want to put any pressure on myself. I will only take part in a tournament when I am 100% fit.
"At the moment, it looks like I can make my comeback at the Australian Open in January."
While he has made significant progress in his recovery he says he is still not at the point where he can train as normal.
"Not yet, more than two hours with the racket are not possible at the moment," said Federer, who is currently ranked fourth in the world and saw Rafa Nadal equal his Grand Slam haul with a 13th French Open title this month.
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