Nadal hails ‘unbelievable’ climb back to No.1

Paris: Rafael Nadal described as “unbelievable” his climb back to the world No.1 spot for the first time in three years and confirmed in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday.

The Spaniard, who learned he was going to reclaim the ATP summit a week ago, last topped the men's charts in July, 2014.

The 31-year-old Spaniard, who won his 15th Grand Slam title this year at Roland Garros, deposes Britain’s Andy Murray, who withdrew from the tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati with a hip injury.

Nadal, who has spent 141 weeks in the top spot, has struggled with knee injuries since first becoming No. 1 in August, 2008 after a Cincinnati semifinal run.

He has admitted doubting he could ever regain the number one spot after so many years.

“Being No. 1 after all the things that I’ve been going through the last couple of years is something unbelievable,” said the Spanish great.

Nadal, knocked out in the Cincinnati quarter-finals last week by Australian Nick Kyrgios, had slipped to as low as 13th in the ATP rankings midway through 2015.