"As I mentioned in Melbourne after my match and at the airport as I landed in Spain, I know this is not the same injury I suffered last year," said Nadal in a statement. "I feel good and I am only thinking now of recovering well. My main goal right now is to get ready again and fit to play the upcoming events once I am able to compete.
Nadal, whose Australian Open title defense ended when he retired against Andy Murray in the quarterfinals, is projected to drop to No. 4 in next week's rankings.
"It is not important for me, the ranking issue and losing a few spots -- that's normal when you are not able to compete," said Nadal. "For me, it is more important to play well again and to have the good feelings on the court that I had in Abu Dhabi, Doha and also at the Australian Open where I played at the highest level."