Nadal aims for "special" results in Paris, ATP Finals to clinch No. 1

Rafael Nadal returns to competition this week in Paris, where he could clinch the No. 1 ranking for the season.

While Novak  Djokovic is still on top going into this week, his points from both the Paris Masters and the Tour Finals are about to drop off, giving the Spaniard the edge. Nadal has a tentative lead of 1,280 points on Djokovic and could wrap up the contest if he can collect 230 more points than Djokovic at either the Paris Masters or the ATP Tour Finals.

Nadal experienced a hand injury at Laver Cup, but indicated he is fit to play again. "And I feel better, that's why I'm here," he said before starting play at the Paris Masters. And I am here with the goal to play my 100 percent. That's what I expect."

He has had a busy week off the court—his wedding to longtime girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello, followed by an exhibition for his foundation against Novak Djokovic in Kazakhstan. He got just a day off in between.

"And then Monday, Tuesday, practice, Wednesday, flying to Kazakhstan, and Thursday, here," Nadal recounted.

Getty Images

He is now scheduled to play three events in a row, starting with Paris, the ATP Tour Finals at London, and then the Davis Cup finals at Madrid.

Nadal insists he is not chasing the rankings these days, having reduced his schedule. "I prefer to be No. 1 to No. 2 and No. 2 to No. 3. And of course, finish the year world No. 1 is something special," said the 33-year-old. "But I will not try to follow or to make extra things to be No. 1. I just going to do my normal schedule."

Still, he's not backing off from trying to finish No. 1 despite an injury-interrupted start to the season.

"But as I said, I'm super happy with my season. Have been a tough beginning of the season. Then I was able to find a way to be back playing at very high level of tennis...," he said. The season is done, and remain to make something special here and London, and I going to try to make that happen."

Nadal is aiming for his fifth finish at No. 1 in the rankings.