Nadal and Roger Federer both arrive in the Spanish capital refreshed from a three-week break that followed Davis Cup victories for Spain and Switzerland.
Federer also arrives with extra purpose after appearing to finally rebound from a below-par season brought on by a bout of monoclueosis. The second-ranked Swiss comes in on the heels of a U.S. Open victory last month and doubles Olympic gold.
"My goal right now is the same as before, to try my best everyday,'' Nadal said Sunday from the Madrid Arena, where he accepted the trophy for his No. 1 achievement to the delight of a roaring home audience. "For sure the goal for the end of this season is to try and finish with the No. 1 ranking.''
Nadal's career season has come at the expense of Federer.
The 22-year-old Mallorca native rolled over Federer for a fourth straight French Open trophy, denied his main rival a sixth straight Wimbledon title and then snapped Federer's record 237 weeks in the top spot.
Federer will be highly motivated on the Spaniard's home turf, although Nadal dampened enthusiasm for the Nadal-Federer final that fans expect with every tournament.
"I don't get tired about (the rivalry). (But) neither him nor I are thinking about this I think,'' said Nadal, who can clinch the season-ending No. 1 ranking by reaching the quarterfinals.
The Tour's top-32 players make up the field and Nadal has an easier route with France's Richard Gasquet and countryman David Ferrer potential opponents to reach the semifinals, where third-ranked Novak Djokovic would loom before any meeting with Federer.
"Never do I think about winning titles before I start. It's a lot easier to lose here and to win,'' said Nadal, who won here in 2005 and is looking for his fourth Masters Series title of the season.
Federer has a much tougher-looking task.
Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga awaits in the third round before a potential quarterfinal matchup against either David Nalbandian or Juan Del Potro. Nalbandian won the Stockholm Open on Sunday and could be heating up at the right time just as he did here last year, when the Argentine beat Djokovic, Nadal and then rallied to beat Federer for the title.
Federer, the 2006 winner who is 14-3 lifetime in Madrid, is still looking for his first Masters Series win of the season. Not since 2001 has Federer not taken at least one of the eight special tournaments that culminate with the Masters Cup, to be played in Shanghai next month.
Surprises could be expected with Madrid's high altitude making the indoor surface play quicker than most tournaments.
"This is one of the strongest tournaments in the world,'' the third-ranked Djokovic said. "It's the start of the indoor season, which has not so successful for me last year, but this year I'm in quite a different situation. I am a more mature player.''
The 21-year-old Serb faces a relatively tough task to meet Nadal in the semis with No. 5 Nikolay Davydenko, Croatia's Ivo Karlovic, wild card Marat Safin and James Blake drawn into his side.
"I don't think it's something that a player desires, to play against Rafa. On any surface it's difficult but especially in his country where he has the biggest support,'' said Djokovic, who is 2-4 against Nadal in 2008.
Fourth-ranked Andrew Murray also returns for his first Tour appearance since losing to Federer at Flushing Meadows, with American player Andy Roddick, No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile and local player Fernando Verdasco in his quarter of the bracket. Murray and Federer could meet in the semis.
It will be the last Madrid Masters played on hard indoor court as it turns into a mixed field event to be played on clay from next May, when the venue will move to the new "Caja Magica'' (Magic Box).
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