Nadal 'ready' to start climb to the top

The world number two, who was plagued by knee and stomach injuries during 2009, helped Spain to a crushing victory over the Czech Republic in this month's Davis Cup final and has had only three weeks to train ahead of his first tour event in Qatar, beginning on January 4.

"My preparation has been short but good and three weeks later I am ready to start again," Nadal said in an interview published in Wednesday's As sports daily.

"I believe that this year (season) I'll arrive a little bit less prepared than for the start of last season."

Nadal completed his preparations for 2010 on Tuesday with a two-hour training session and a set against Mallorcan compatriot Carlos Moya, which he won 7-5, and flew to Abu Dhabi ,where he will take part in an elite exhibition event.

After competing in the Qatar Open at the beginning of next month, he will seek to defend his Australian Open title won last year in Melbourne.

He said he was especially looking forward to the challenge of recapturing his French Open title in June after his four-year reign as champion was ended in last year's fourth round by Swede Robin Soderling.

"The results will be what they are but right now my hope is to win everything," he told the news daily.

"But because that is impossible, you have to try to do what is possible in each tournament that you play.

"If you have reached the semifinals of almost every tournament without playing well, which is what happened to me (last season), then when you are feeling better and maintaining a rhythm, sooner or later your luck will change," added the Spaniard.