Nadal not upbeat about planned Montreal comeback

RAFAEL Nadal has hinted he may not make his comeback at the Rogers Cup in Montreal - which starts in just ten days time.

CAUTIOUS: Rafael Nadal is not talking up a reappearance in Canada as his continues his injury comeback

The former world number one hasn't played on the ATP Tour since losing his unbeaten record at Roland Garros in May - missing the defence of his Wimbledon title at the All England Club.

He had claimed that his troublesome knee injury was responding to treatment but, in an interview with Spanish television, he appeared less upbeat.

"I'm mentally ready to return now and I would like to come back in Montreal," said Nadal, who admitted he'd been playing with anti-inflammatory drugs to combat pain during the Madrid Masters, where he lost in the final in straight sets to Roger Federer.

"I will have to force the knees and just see how far I can go.

"I feel good but I have to wait and see how I continue to recover because I've only been back training for a week and a half.

"You start with lots of hope, but the real test would be to see how I go when I really push my knees. I think that is likely to happen in the upcoming days."

If Nadal misses Montreal, he will target the Masters 1000 event that follows in Cincinnati, with the US Open commencing in 32 days time.

Meanwhile, British number one Andy Murray - now the proud owner of his driving licence - has been preparing for Montreal, his first tournament since Wimbledon, at the University of Miami.

Murray travelled to Florida last year to prepare for the US Open, where he reached his first-ever Grand Slam final, losing to Federer.