Federer, Nadal ready in Cincy

MASON (AP) — The temperature had already topped 80 degrees as Rafael Nadal pushed himself through his morning workout Monday, swatting balls around the court for a sweaty hour and 45 minutes.

He wished for more.

The 23-year-old Spaniard feels his limitations every day during his comeback from two months off the tour to let his aching knees rest and heal. Normally, he would have practiced another 45 minutes to get ready for his opening match this week at the $3 million Cincinnati Masters.

Can’t do it.

“I need to go slow, no?” he said, after the workout.

Going slow means not pushing too hard at his second tournament back on the tour. It means accepting that he won’t be anywhere near his best when the U.S. Open starts in two weeks.

“Sure, the U.S. Open is very important,” Nadal said, “but after the U.S. Open remains a lot of the season, and I would like to be ready to play a good end of the season.”

Nadal and Roger Federer, who have been nipping at each other’s heels for years, were two of the biggest uncertainties when the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters got started Monday with the top players practicing and resting. The highest-seeded player in action was No. 9 Gilles Simon, who beat Wayne Odesnik 6-3, 6-2.

Sixth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro withdrew from the tournament on Monday, saying he was tired after reaching the finals in Montreal over the weekend.

While Nadal takes it slow in his comeback from tendinitis in both knees, Federer is getting adjusted to life on the tour with twins in tow.

After he beat Andy Roddick in a record-length fifth set at Wimbledon for an unprecedented 15th Grand Slam title, Federer took some time off for fatherhood. His wife, Mirka, gave birth to twin girls on July 23. He was back on court last week in Montreal, where his family accompanied him. Like Nadal, he lost in the quarterfinals.

It wasn’t for a lack of rest.

“I’ve been sleeping enough,” Federer said Monday, after his practice. “It’s not been bad like I sort of expected.”