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The 22-times Grand Slam champion, who is
gearing up for next month's Australian Open, sustained the
problem during his second round defeat at Melbourne Park in
January and did not compete again last season after having
surgery in June.
Nadal's rivals, including world number one Novak Djokovic,
believe he will be at his competitive best on his return but the
37-year-old played down title expectations in what is likely to
be his final season on tour.
"It's impossible to think about winning tournaments today,"
Nadal told Australian Associated Press on Friday. "What's really
possible is to enjoy the comeback. I don't expect much... one
year without being on the court."
Nadal has stepped up his training in recent months and practiced
with world number eight Holger Rune at the Queensland Tennis
Centre after arriving in Australia on Thursday.
The Spaniard, who has slipped to world number 672, said he was
feeling much better than a year ago but added that he cannot
have long-term goals just yet.
"I don't know how things are going to keep going," Nadal said.
"I'm not a player who tries to predict what can happen in the
short term and it's tougher in the medium period of time.
"I need to accept the adversity and that it's not going to be
perfect, just come with the right spirit every day."
The Brisbane International begins on Sunday while the Australian
Open runs from Jan. 14-28.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by
Stephen Coates)
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