Nadal praises Federer for earning No. 1 ranking with Rotterdam win

Rafael Nadal returns to competition this week at Acapulco for the first time since experiencing a leg injury at the Australian Open.

The Spaniard is the top seed at the event, and says he began practicing again about a week ago.

"I'm feeling recovered," he told ATP Media in a TV interview. "I take a couple of weeks of rest, and working hard on rehabilitation [of the injury]."

The 31-year-old said his goal was to "try and compete at my highest level," downplaying his rankings rivalry with Roger Federer. Federer took the No. 1 spot a week ago with his title in Rotterdam. While Nadal cannot get back on top at Acapulco, he could move in front of Federer again at Indian Wells.

But Nadal said he would not chase the top ranking by playing more tournaments than scheduled. "I'm going to do my calendar," he said, adding of Federer, "It's great and incredible, to see him back at No. 1, so congrats to him."

Though defending 300 points at Acapulco, Nadal said he was not concentrating on the rankings this week either.

"I play this tournament because I like it and I'm excited to do it," he told press at Acapulco. "At this point in my career, I'm looking to be happy, and play in the proper weeks, whether No. 1 or No. 5 in the rankings."

Nadal is a former Acapulco champion.

ATP Acapulco (Feb. 26-28)

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