Rafael Nadal had a disappointing year this season as he was slowed down by various injuries, but the Spanish tennis superstar is already in good shape in his preparation for the 2015 Australian Open.

Nadal missed the season-ending ATP World Tour Final after undergoing appendix surgery just several weeks after returning from a long layoff due to a wrist injury that sidelined him for three months.

In a recent interview, the 14-time Grand Slam champion revealed that he has already started training after getting clearance from his doctors following last month's surgery.

"I am fine, I am working very hard, the last couple of weeks I really increased a lot my practice, this operation on the appendix was good, no problems at all," Nadal said via Sydney Morning Herald. "I'm happy to say today that I am able to practice a lot of hours every day, and with the right intensity, so that's the most important thing."

The 28-year-old is scheduled to participate in Abu Dhabi and Qatar Open early next month -- two tournaments where he wants to push himself to prepare for the Australian Open that will start on Jan. 19, 2015, in Melbourne.

"The main thing for me is I am able to work hard in these next weeks. I am sure the level of intensity and level of competition will be helpful for me," Nadal said via Sky Sports. "I will try to spend as much time on court as possible. Every match that I have the opportunity to play is important."

Nadal was one win away from winning his second Australian Open title last year, but lost to Stan Wawrinka in the final. The Mallorca, Spain, native said losing in the 2014 final was one of the hardest moments of his career because he could have won if not for the back injury that bothered him in his match against Wawrinka.

"It was hard, but that's part of tennis, that's part of our life, that's part of my career, too, that I was unlucky a few times in the Australian Open in my career, and the only thing I think every time is try to come back, try to be strong again and try to enjoy one of my favorite tournaments when I'm coming back," said Nadal, who won the tournament in 2009.

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