Rafael Nadal is aiming to launch his comeback from a thigh issue in Acapulco at the end of the month.

The world No. 1, who retired from his Australian Open quarterfinal while trailing Marin Cilic, 2-0, in the fifth set, told the media in Madrid he is hopeful he can play Acapulco, which begins on February 26th.

Watch: Djokovic Begins Rehab

“It’s a small injury that needs time and rest and recovery and that’s what we’re doing,” Nadal said. “For the moment, my schedule is the same and I think I’ll be able to travel to Mexico and play at Acapulco.”

A year ago, Nadal swept Cilic to reach the Acapulco final where he fell to American Sam Querrey, 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Following his injury-induced departure from the Australian Open, Nadal again called on ATP officials to consider the health impacts of playing on hard courts.

“Somebody who is running the tour should think little bit about what's going on. Too many people getting injured,” Nadal said last month. “I don't know if they have to think a little bit about the health of the players. Not for now that we are playing, but there is life after tennis. I don't know if we keep playing in this very, very hard surfaces what's going to happen in the future with our lives.”

The 31-year-old Spaniard told EFE he is not considering retirement. Nadal reiterated his belief tennis remains one of the few pro sports that requires players to compete on hard surfaces.

“I don’t know how long I’ll play, whether it will be three, four or five more years. But when that time comes, I’ll know and I won’t be afraid. But now I’m not thinking about my retirement,” Nadal said. “Few sports, as is the case with tennis, are played (mainly) on cement, hard, very aggressive surfaces, but I’m just another player giving his opinion.”

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve