Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal, ranked No. 1 in the world, said he intends "to play in Abu Dhabi, Brisbane and the Australian Open" but emphasised that "a month (still) remains" and he wants to take things step by step with his injured knee. "I didn't end the season in the best way possible ... My knee doesn't have to be better right now, the aim is for within a month," he said. Nadal, who withdrew from the last tourney of the season, the Masters Cup, due to an injury to his right knee, said that he will resume training and intends to do what's right to be ready for the start of the new season. "I ended the season with injuries and I need to take the time to recover well. That's why I've taken a few weeks of rest. I need to get started again. I intend to play in Abu Dhabi, Brisbane and Australia. That would be the ideal situation and I'm going to try and make it happen," said the Spaniard, who has just concluded a vacation in The Bahamas.

Rafael Nadal finished the 2017 season with six titles. pic/getty images