Rafael Nadal: Return to No. 1 will be 'an emotional moment for me'

Rafael Nadal says returning to No. 1 is even more special for him because of numerous injury problems he's had in between.

Nadal is set to become No. 1 again next week following the Masters event in Cincinnati, the same event where he first ascended to the top. The nine-year gap is the longest in ATP rankings history.

"In 2008, I was No. 1 for the first time here," Nadal told Tennis TV. "Of course, a great memory."

Nadal, who has been plagued with illness and injury in recent years, has found his form again, winning the French Open and reaching the final of the Australian Open.

"I'm [having] a great season and I am happy to come back to No. 1, obviously," he said. "[A lot of things happened] between that time I was in that position [in 2014] and I am going to be again. I had injuries, I had some troubles with my game. But I worked hard, I maintained passion for the game and here I am."

But the knee problems, appendicitis and wrist injury he experienced add to the significance of the achievement.

"To come back to No. 1 is important to me because of all the things that happened," he added following his opening-round win against Richard Gasquet. "I worked hard to get [myself] back in that position. "It's going to be an emotional moment for me."

Now back on top, the 31-year-old has no plans to stop playing.

"I always say the same. I am going to keep playing while what I’m doing makes me happy," he said. "If I’m happy and especially if I’m healthy, I keep going because I love this sport."

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