'Roger Federer didn't need to return to World No.1': Rafael Nadal breaks silence after losing top spot

Spanish tennis maestro Rafael Nadal, who is all set to make a return at this week's Mexico Open after recovering from a thigh injury, has insisted that he is no longer concerned with the world rankings.

Last week, Nadal was dethroned by his long-time rival Roger Federer at the top of the ATP rankings, after the latter became the oldest player to claim the numero-uno spot en route to winning his 97th title at the Rotterdam Open title.

While a victory in Mexico would not be enough for Nadal to retain the pinnacle spot in the men's rankings, the current world number two could replace Federer at Indian Wells or Miami next month.

However, Nadal was no longer concerned about rankings as he said that `being number one, three or five hardly make any difference`.

"I've been in the top 2 for many years. Being No 1, 3, 5 doesn't make much difference," Sport24 quoted Nadal, as saying.

Insisting that he is not motivated by a desire to reclaim the position from his long-time rival, the 31-year-old said that feeling competitive and managing to win tournaments is what makes him happy.

"What makes me happy is feeling competitive and able to win tournaments. I won't fight to be back at No 1. I'll fight to have my best possible season. If that means later in the season I have a chance to be back at it, OK," Nadal said.

"I only fight to be happy and competitive in every tournament I play. That's my goal. We'll see where I'm at the end of season. I started the season at a good level," he added.

Nadal, who is all set to make a return from a thigh injury at this week's Mexico Open in Acapulco, said that Federer doesn't require the numero-uno spot to show his potential. 

"He didn't need to return to No 1 to show who he is in tennis. What he's achieved is very difficult and you can only congratulate him," he said.

The 31-year-old admitted that his great rival Federer performed a bit better than him in last one year. "Rankings don't lie, he did a little bit better than me in the last 12 months," he added.

Nadal was forced to retire from season-opening Grand Slam--Australian Open-in the quarter-final clash against Croatia's Marin Cilic due to the injury.

However, Nadal will aim to make a winning return when he locks horns with his fellow countryman Feliciano Lopez in the opening round of the men's singles event at Mexico Open.

Last week, Federer returned to the top of the ATP Rankings for his fourth stint at the pinnacle of men's professional tennis, more than 14 years after he first became number one.

Federer surpassed eight-time Grand Slam winner Andre Agassi's record to become the oldest-ever No 1 en route to winning his 97th title at the Rotterdam Open title.

The Swiss star first became world number one in February 2004 and had not topped the rankings since October 2012. He, in fact, slipped to a low of 17th in January 2017