Four-times champion Roger Federer was delighted to welcome back to the ATP Tour his long-time rival Rafa Nadal, a man he could face in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Spaniard Nadal has slipped to fifth in the world rankings after being sidelined for seven months last year due to a left knee injury and is seeded to meet Federer in the last eight of the elite ATP Masters 1000 event in the California desert.

“I only just saw him this week after my practice, I was really excited to see him again,” Swiss world number two Federer told reporters at Indian Wells as the men’s tournament began on Thursday.

“We haven’t had much contact. I think he really wanted to get away from it all, which I totally understand.

“I was really happy to see him doing so well in Acapulco and it’s great to see him here playing on the hard courts.”

Left-hander Nadal returned to the ATP circuit last month in South America where he competed in three relatively minor claycourt events, winning two of them after reaching all three finals.

He gave himself a huge confidence boost for Indian Wells by overpowering fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-0 6-2 in the final of the Mexican Open in Acapulco on Sunday.

Federer returns to one of his favourite venues for the Indian Wells event but the Swiss maestro is still seeking his first ATP title of the year after producing contrasting form in his first three tournaments.

After reaching the Australian Open semi-finals, where he lost to Andy Murray, Federer was beaten by Julien Benneteau in the Rotterdam quarter-finals before squandering three match points in a semi-final defeat by Tomas Berdych in Dubai.

“I played really well in Australia,” said Federer, a 17-times grand slam tournament winner.

“Rotterdam, I was disappointed be-cause I thought I could have done better. I played so well the year before and I never really got going against Benneteau.

“And in Dubai I was a bit unfortunate losing with three match points, and having to explain the loss when you feel you should be preparing for the final.

“What happened, happened. I am playing fine. Obviously I would have hoped to have won a tournament by now but overall I am happy with my game.”

While Federer and Nadal have a bye into the second round at Indian Wells, former world no.3 David Nalbandian of Argentina advanced with a 6-4 6-2 win over Spaniard Marcel Granollers in the first round on Thursday.

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