<p>Patience will have to be a virtue for Rafael Nadal when the former World No 1 makes his return to tennis after a seven-month injury absence at next week’s Chilean Open.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 26-year-old Spanish left-hander has been out of action with a knee problem since losing to Czech Lukas Rosol in the second round at Wimbledon in June.<br /><br />“Hopefully I'll show an acceptable level. I have to go step by step,” said Nadal who has not played in an ATP tournament in South America since 2005.<br /><br />“Things won't be the same as last year when I was okay. I'll have to be patient,” he told a news conference at the coastal city of Vina del Mar.<br /><br />“I have to start from a modest position. I need to gain competition rhythm as soon as possible and I hope this tournament helps me get there.<br /><br />“I'll do all I can to go as far as possible but the outcome at this tournament is the least important thing. I came here to compete because I've been off the court for a very long time.”<br /><br />French Open champion Nadal has slipped to fifth in the rankings but he said that trying to regain the No 1 position was the last thing on his mind.<br /><br />“After seven months out I'm not in a position to think about that,” said the 11-times Grand Slam singles winner. “I'll try to play better week after week.”<br /><br />After the Chile tournament he will compete at the Brazil Open in Sao Paulo the following week and the Mexico Open in Acapulco from Feb 25.<br /><br />Nadal returns on Tuesday in the doubles alongside Argentine Juan Monaco. A day later he will play a second-round singles tie against Argentine Guido Pella or a qualifier.</p>
<p>Patience will have to be a virtue for Rafael Nadal when the former World No 1 makes his return to tennis after a seven-month injury absence at next week’s Chilean Open.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 26-year-old Spanish left-hander has been out of action with a knee problem since losing to Czech Lukas Rosol in the second round at Wimbledon in June.<br /><br />“Hopefully I'll show an acceptable level. I have to go step by step,” said Nadal who has not played in an ATP tournament in South America since 2005.<br /><br />“Things won't be the same as last year when I was okay. I'll have to be patient,” he told a news conference at the coastal city of Vina del Mar.<br /><br />“I have to start from a modest position. I need to gain competition rhythm as soon as possible and I hope this tournament helps me get there.<br /><br />“I'll do all I can to go as far as possible but the outcome at this tournament is the least important thing. I came here to compete because I've been off the court for a very long time.”<br /><br />French Open champion Nadal has slipped to fifth in the rankings but he said that trying to regain the No 1 position was the last thing on his mind.<br /><br />“After seven months out I'm not in a position to think about that,” said the 11-times Grand Slam singles winner. “I'll try to play better week after week.”<br /><br />After the Chile tournament he will compete at the Brazil Open in Sao Paulo the following week and the Mexico Open in Acapulco from Feb 25.<br /><br />Nadal returns on Tuesday in the doubles alongside Argentine Juan Monaco. A day later he will play a second-round singles tie against Argentine Guido Pella or a qualifier.</p>