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PARIS (AFP): Rafael Nadal said on Monday that he is ready to consolidate his year-end number one ATP ranking by winning his opening match at the Paris Masters.

But the 31-year-old Spaniard - who is also trying to balance the delicate political situation in his native country with his status as an international sportsman - refused to hype up his potential coronation.
"I need to win a match. I'm here to try my best - as in every tournament," he said before starting as top seed in the event which is missing Roger Federer due to fatigue.  

"Hopefully if this (number one) happens, it will be something important for me.

The Rolex Paris Masters is one of the very few titles Rafael Nadal has yet to get his hands on in his outstanding career, a record he is keen to set straight in eight days’ time. Having withdrawn from the Swiss Indoors in Basel last week to keep himself fresh for Paris and the ATP Finals in London, the world No1 arrived at the AccorHotels Arena on Friday, since when he has been putting everything into his training.

What was most noticeable about Nadal when he strode out on to the Central Court was that there was no trace of any strapping on his right knee, a part of his body that has been injury-prone throughout his career. Having left the Shanghai Masters a fortnight ago with the knee bandaged-up, this was a clear sign of his confidence in its ability to withstand the end-of-season rigours.

After sharing a quick joke with the exiting Feliciano Lopez about the fortunes of FC Barcelona, Nadal took up residence on the court and quickly showed how relaxed he is about his troublesome knee.

PARIS (AFP): Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Paris Masters with injury on Friday.
The Spaniard told a news conference ahead of his quarter-final match against Serbian Filip Krajinovic that he was suffering from a right knee problem.
Nadal added that he was going to try his best to be fit for the season-ending ATP Tour Finals which take place November 12-19 in London.

“I have to pull out,” Nadal said at a press conference. “Of course, it’s a very hard decision for me, especially — pulling out from any event is tough, but especially from here, from Paris. As I said a lot of times, it's the most important city in my career, without a doubt.”

“The knee is always bothering a little bit but sometimes it’s worse.” -