Nadal cautious after back injury

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain adjusts his headband in a match against Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain during the ATP Rio Open 2014 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain adjusts his headband in a match against Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain during the ATP Rio Open 2014 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Published Feb 19, 2014

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Rio de Janeiro - Rafael Nadal is taking it easy at the Rio Open, nursing a back injury and hoping it gets better.

No. 1-ranked Nadal defeated fellow Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver in his first-round match, his first in more than three weeks after losing the Australian Open final to Stanislaw Wawrinka.

Nadal was an overwhelming favorite in Australia to win his 14th Grand Slam title, but he picked up the back strain warming up and was never the same.

Nadal says he needs “to be cautious” and acknowledged he has been a “bit afraid” coming back from the injury. The Spaniard's next test is on Thursday against countryman Albert Montanes.

Sapa-AP

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