'Motivated' Nadal set for much-awaited comeback at China Open

Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal would make his long-awaited return to action at the China Open this week, where he would be looking ahead to challenge world number one Novak Djokovic's 100 percent record in Beijing.

Nadal, who has not competed since Wimbledon after picking up a right wrist injury, makes his comeback at a tournament he has happy memories of from last year, when he reclaimed the top spot after a previous injury layoff.

The Spaniard returned to world number one after dominating 2013's hardcourt events and making the final at Beijing's Olympic Park, a game he lost to Serbian tennis ace Djokovic, Sport24 reported.

The current world number three has slipped down the rankings due to his absence from competition, and with Djokovic winning four of the last tournaments he entered in Beijing, Nadal knows that he would have a battle on his hands to close the gap on his fiercest rival.

Nadal, who won the 2005 China Open in Beijing, said that Djokovic dominates almost all the tournaments, adding that the Serb is always there, semifinals, finals and winning. He said that the current world number one is one of the best players that he has ever seen.

Nadal said that normally Djokovic likes to play in Beijing, adding that they would see what's going on this year. He also said that he felt fine following his injury and that his motivation was high heading into the tournament.

The Spaniard said that he just feels the wrist a little bit when he is starting, when he starts to play every day, but added that then it disappears. He said that he is in good conditions to compete again.

The second seed in Beijing is 1,505 ATP points behind top seed Djokovic, who has a 19-0 record at the China Open, the report added.