With so many players in the ATP top ten struggling with injury, Rafael Nadal will once again assume the number one spot on Monday for the first time in three years after Roger Federer was forced to pull out of the ongoing Cincinnati Masters.

Nadal has had a sensational season, having won four tournaments so far this year, including his historic 10th title at Roland Garros. He has waited more than three years for his return to No.1, having last been ranked as the best male player in the world on July 6, 2014.

And the Spaniard has commented on his imminent return to No. 1 for the first time following his second round win at the Cincinnati Masters over Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-4.

"I have worked a lot to give me another chance and here I am. Just to be back to that position makes me happy and of course is going to be an emotional moment for me."

He also had some words of wisdom for his competitors struggling with injury at the moment. Nadal himself is no stranger to injury. 

The 31-year-old Spaniard has missed six Grand Slams in his career because of injury, although this hasn't stopped him racking an impressive tally of 15 of them.

Novak Djokovic will miss the remainder of the season with an elbow problem, while Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and Marian Cilic all are also struggling with injuries.

Nadal has wished his competitors all the best but insists they must first accept their fitness difficulties to move on.

He added: "I have been in that position more than all these players that are out now, I know how tough it is. I'm very sorry for all of them and I wish all of them a fast and good recovery.

"I tell you Roger didn't have a lot of these things during his career. Novak the same, Andy the same, Stan, I don't think he had a lot of issues.

"I'm the only one of these top players that missed a lot of important tournaments in my career. More than nobody else. I know how tough it is. But the only thing that you can do when these kind of things happen is accept and keep going."