Rafael Nadal insists Davis Cup final is priority

RAFAEL Nadal could return to the top of the world rankings should he claim victory in the ATP World Tour Finals next week - but insists his priority remains the Davis Cup final next month.

BIGGER FISH TO FRY: Rafael Nadal putting more emphasis on Davis Cup final than the ATP World Tour Finals (Getty Images)

Nadal begins his campaign at the season finale at the O2 Arena against Robin Soderling in a repeat of the fourth-round clash at the French Open when the Swede came out on top.

In losing to Soderling, Nadal's reign of terror at Roland Garros was brought to an end.  The Spaniard was unable to capture his fifth consecutive French Open in May.

Since then, Nadal's season has been far from plain sailing, and the 23-year-old was forced to miss out defending his Wimbledon crown due to tendinitis in his knees.

Nadal has since returned to action, but has failed to find the rhythm that saw him lift the Australian Open at the start of the year. Most recently he crashed out of the Paris Masters semi final to world number three Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard arrives in London with the opportunity to supersede world number one Roger Federer, should the Swiss flounder in the capital and Nadal lift the trophy.

But with Spain bidding to defend their Davis Cup trophy against the Czech Republic in December, Nadal is purely concentrating on being ready to lead his country into battle next month.

"At the moment I feel motivated to finish the year well - and to win the Davis Cup for Spain next month," said Nadal.

"The O2 will be tough because indoors is the most difficult surface for me. But I will try my best in London.

"There are tough moments for everybody and unluckily for me mine came this year," he said. "I couldn't play Wimbledon - my favourite tournament and I lost at Roland Garros.

"Everything coming together made it hard but I'm OK now. At least the injury gave me time to be with my friends and family."