The 34-year-old played no part in his country's ATP Cup campaign, which ended in a 2-0 semi-final defeat at the hands of Italy on Saturday.
Indian tennis ace Leander Paes is set to partner Spanish legend Rafael Nadal in the men's doubles event at the 3,288,530 euro Paris Masters to be played on the indoor hard courts of the Palais Omnisports in Bercy next week.
Say it quietly but some chinks are appearing in the suit of armour Rafael Nadal usually wears on a claycourt as the Spaniard sets his sights on a ninth French Open title.
'Obviously Rafa is in great position to finish World No. 1'
Former Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi has penned a heartfelt letter to Rafael Nadal where he has expressed his support to the Spaniard who is seeking to clinch his 10th French Open title.
Amid increasing speculation surrounding his participation at the Rio Olympics, the Spanish Olympic Committee chief has confirmed that 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will represent his nation at the global spectacle.
Yet the warrior-like instincts kicked in and we were all reminded that Nadal, as long as he is standing, remains a physical and psychological force of nature on a tennis court.
The spirit was as strong as ever but Rafael Nadal's troublesome knee failed him in the end as the Spaniard quit the ATP Finals after a painful defeat by Belgium's David Goffin.
Three-times champion Rafael Nadal pummelled fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco into a 6-1, 6-0, 6-2 submission to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open on Sunday.
Rafael Nadal reached the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-1, 6-0, 7-5 win over Israel's Dudi Sela on Friday, avoiding the fate that befell great rival Roger Federer who had earlier lost to Andreas Seppi.
Doctor Angel Ruiz Cotorro has given the Spanish world number two a clean chit on his foot injury.
Frances Tiafoe said his days of flying under the radar were over
Rafael Nadal continued his brilliant revival at the Australian Open to topple Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6(7), 6-4 on Wednesday and reach his first grand slam semi-final in three years.
Friction has dogged the ATP Player Council, whose president is world number one Novak Djokovic, this year since ATP president Chris Kermode failed to gain support for another term.
Lucky loser Taro Daniel will replace Nadal in the second round against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Russian fourth seed Mikhail Youzhny made a winning start to the New Year as he routed world no. 2 Rafael Nadal 6-0, 6-1 in the final of the Chennai Open on Sunday.
Third seeds Leander Paes-Mahesh Bhupathi and fifth seeds Rohan Bopanna-Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi progressed to the pre-quarter-finals in the ATP Western and Southern Open with contrasting victories, in Cincinnati, on Thursday. Paes-Bhupathi got the better of Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez 6-4, 6-2 in the second round. Bopanna-Qureshi beat the Argentine pair of Juan Ignacio Chela-Juan Monaco 6-3, 5-7, 10-4.
Former World No 1 Rafael Nadal breezed through to the semi-finals of the Mexican Open on Thursday, dispatching Argentine Leonardo Mayer in straight sets 6-1, 7-5.
Nadal has a habit of truly coming into his own at Roland Garros, as his 100-2 win-loss record testifies.
Sinner faces defending champ Alcaraz in hotly anticipated French Open final
Nadal, who would pass fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno as the oldest Roland Garros men's singles champion if he wins, had to dig deep again in a three-hour slugfest in the semi-final against Alexander Zverev before the German was forced to retire mid-match after injuring his ankle.
Rafael Nadal flirted with a shock defeat at the Rome Masters as Novak Djokovic stretched his unbeaten run and Roger Federer eased through on Wednesday.
Ashleigh Barty lifted the season-ending WTA Finals trophy and led Australia to their first Fed Cup final since 1993, while Nadal won his 4th ITF Award for winning two Slams this season.
The 20-times Grand Slam champion said he was having some "unpleasant moments" but was hoping to feel better soon.
"But if you need a reminder of who he is, just look at his career stats and grand slams that he won."
Rafael Nadal kept the flag flying for the old guard at the Australian Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over American Frances Tiafoe on Tuesday for a place in the semi-finals, where he will meet another next generation player in Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Tournaments continue to be played in front of a handful of fans at most.
On the 10th anniversary of the 2008 Wimbledon men's final that is widely considered the 'greatest ever tennis match' it seems like the stars may be aligning for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to meet in another mesmerising epic.
Fabio Fognini pulled off a huge upset, stunning top seed and holder Rafael Nadal 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the Rio Open semi-final on Saturday.
Rafael Nadal reached the Olympic Games quarter-finals on Thursday, winning the first of 10 matches he will need to sweep in just four days if he is to secure triple Rio gold. The 2008 champion defeated Gilles Simon 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 for his eighth win over the Frenchman in nine meetings. Nadal, a 14-time major winner, is playing in his first tournament in two months after a wrist injury caused an early withdrawal from the French Open.
'It's a positive start with a good result. If I do months without playing an official match, it's always a little bit more difficult.'
While the year's final grand slam is just underway tennis fans have circled Sept. 8 when, if all goes to form, Nadal and Federer would meet to decide a place in the final.
The Spaniard, who is renowned for his strict on-court routines, complained about the noise of the rowdy audience at his match, the din amplified by the closed roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium to protect the players from rain.
Top seed Rafael Nadal produced a claycourt masterclass on Saturday to demolish German Denis Gremelmayr 6-1, 6-0 to reach the final of the Barcelona Open.
The Swiss ace was crowned with the Laureus Sportsman of the Year for the second year running
Rafael Nadal claimed a record-extending 10th Monte Carlo Masters title as he geared up for his beloved French Open with a 6-1, 6-3 victory against fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos on Sunday.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic and the man who can dislodge him from the top spot by next week, Rafael Nadal, kicked off their China Open campaign with straight set victories on Tuesday.
His great rival Roger Federer had already maintained his regal progress earlier on the showcourt and Serena Williams then followed with another thumping win.
