In this file photo taken on Sept 8, 2019, Rafael Nadal, of Spain, hits a return to Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men's Singles Finals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Rafael Nadal targets a fifth US Open and 23rd Grand Slam title in New York from next week as Novak Djokovic clings desperately onto a forlorn hope of even being allowed to set foot in New York. (JOHANNES EISELE / AFP)

NEW YORK - Tennis's ultimate fighter Rafa Nadal hopes to be ready for stiff competition at the US Open after seeing little action due to the serious abdominal injury he suffered at Wimbledon.

The 22-times Grand Slam winner was forced to retire from his semi-final against Nick Kyrgios at the All England Club this year and told reporters on Friday that the road to recovery presented enormous challenges

The 22-times Grand Slam winner was forced to retire from his semi-final against Nick Kyrgios at the All England Club this year and told reporters on Friday that the road to recovery presented enormous challenges. 

"(It) is a tough injury because it's dangerous, it's risky. When you have a scar it's a place that you put a lot of effort when you are serving," said Nadal, who is seeded second.

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"You need to find flexibility again because when you have a scar there (at the) beginning it's not flexible ... The risk of breaking when you are doing an important movement back there on a thing that is not flexible like before, the risk is higher."

The Spaniard withdrew from Montreal before losing in his Cincinnati opener to Borna Coric, further clouding the outlook for him to try to claim a fifth title at Flushing Meadows.

The 36-year-old, who is competing at the US Open for the first time in three years, said he took it easy at the hardcourt tune-up event and was "doing things the best way that I can."

"I hope to be ready for the action," he added. "That's the only thing I can say. I have what I have. With the tools I have today, I hope to be competitive enough to give myself a chance."

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Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta during their second round match, at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Sept 16, 2020. (Alfredo Falcone / LaPresse via AP)

Nadal could take the world number one spot from defending champion Daniil Medvedev but might run into compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in the bottom half of the draw as the 19-year-old bids for a maiden major title after winning in Madrid and Miami.

"I'm practising at a high level of intensity. I'm quite happy with the way I'm playing," he said. "From my perspective, I'm practising quite well. Let's see what can happen."