'Being No 1 again would be special', says Rafael Nadal as battle with Novak Djokovic intensifies

Spaniard looking to secure end-of-season top ranking for the fifth time in his career

TOPSHOT - Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during their Men's Singles Quarter-finals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 4, 2019.  / AFP / Johannes EISELE
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Rafael Nadal said he prefers to "be No 1 to No 2" as he prepared to continue his rankings battle with Novak Djokovic in Paris this week and in the ATP Finals in London.

If the Spaniard, 33, finishes as the top ranked player, it would be the fifth instance of Nadal ending the year at the summit of the rankings; tied with Djokovic, Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors.

Nadal is currently behind Djokovic but it's a tight race – 9,545 points to 9,225.

"It's fantastic," Nadal was quoted as saying by AFP. "I prefer to be No 1 to No 2 and No 2 to No 3. And of course, finishing the year world No 1 is something special, and I would love to make that happen."

However, Nadal's only competitive tennis since winning his 19th major at the US Open in September was the Laver Cup.

"I had my problem in the hand after the US Open, so I couldn't finish the Laver Cup the way that I wanted. Then I had to stop for a while," Nadal said. "I am here with the goal to play my 100 per cent. That's what I expect."

Nadal has a 48-6 record this year, winning 28 of his last 29 matches. Nadal has never won at Bercy but he refused to accept that Paris was 'unlucky' for him.

"I missed this tournament a lot of times in my career. And other times I didn't play well and other times opponents have been better than me.

"As everybody knows, for me it's the most important city in my tennis career, so I love to be in Paris. It always gives me good vibes."

Nadal has also won only two tour indoor tournaments in his career, but didn't look too much into that stat.

"Of course it's an indoor surface that in the past is the surface that I had less chances. I think I have been improving the game to be able to play well. I think this year the surface is quite quick, quite fast. But I don't know. I'm happy to be here," he said.