Nadal says he’ll play in Buenos Aires ATP

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will play in the Buenos Aires ATP tournament in February for the first time since 2005, the Spaniard said on Wednesday.

The tournament, to be held at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club from Feb. 10-16, is part of the Latin American swing of clay-court events which also includes tournaments in Chile, Brazil and Mexico.

“After a time when I was unable to go, this year I’m going to return to the Buenos Aires tournament and I’m excited to play the Copa Claro again,” Nadal said in a video shown at a news conference.

Nadal lost to Argentine Gaston Gaudio, the 2004 French Open champion, in the quarter-final of the 2005 Buenos Aires tournament at the start of a glittering career that has included 13 Grand Slam titles, eight at Roland Garros.

Nadal made his comeback from a long injury layoff at the Vina del Mar tournament in Chile in February, launching a comeback that took him back to the top of the rankings last month.

He was in Argentina last month for exhibition matches against world No. 2 Novak Djokovic and retired Argentine former No. 3 David Nalbandian’s farewell to tennis.

Buenos Aires champion David Ferrer will not be defending his title

Reuters