MADRID, Spain - World number two Rafael Nadal said Tuesday he is recovering from his knee injury and plans to return to the tour at the Montreal Masters in August where is the defending champion.

"I am really looking forward to practice again and to do what I most like: to play tennis," he said in a statement posted on his official website after undergoing medical tests in Barcelona.

"The event in Montreal is important and I expect to be there and fit to play. Until then I need to continue to work on my recovery and practice well."

The 23-year-old Spaniard has been suffering from tendinitis in both knees and has not played since being upset by Robin Soderling in the fourth round at the French Open in May.

It was his first defeat at Roland Garros where he had been the four-time defending champion.

The injury also forced him to pull out of Wimbledon, where he was also defending champion, two days before it started.

During his absence, Roger Federer won both the French Open and Wimbledon and regained the number one ranking held by Nadal. -AFP