Even though the knee injury forced him to abandon his Australian Open title defence last month, Nadal is confident of making a successful tour return at Indian Wells in March this year.

The world number three, who practised on an indoor court near his home in Mallorca said that the tendon had healed in his right knee and he was working to get back to the same level of fitness he reached at the start of the year.

Nadal's latest injury setback forced him to withdraw from his quarter-final against Briton's Andy Murray in the Australian Open in Melbourne in January and he also pulled out of last week's Rotterdam event.

The 23-year-old Spaniard seems to be ready to miss holder Spain's Davis Cup first round March 5-7 at home against Switzerland, with the visitors to be without Roger Federer.

Doubts have been raised over Nadal's ability to stay free of injury, in part due to a playing style which relies heavily on power and athleticism. Nadal said he had no doubt he could coax his body back to peak fitness.

"I think I was there during the first month of the year," he said. "I think I am working well enough to get there again. "That's sport. You never know when you start (your career) and when you finish."