Melbourne, Feb 5 : Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal''s ailing left knee may continue to bother him until the end of the month, his coach has claimed.

Nadal has been practicing for four straight days, but according to his coach and uncle Toni Nadal, is still some distance from being match fit.

Nadal, however, will play in the VTR Open.

Toni Nadal said Rafael's knee was much better, but he would feel some discomfort and experience lack of mobility until the end of the month.

Nadal has avoided surgery so far, getting therapeutic treatment in the hope of speeding the healing. But, according to news. com. au, the slow recovery from the inflamed knee means Nadal has been trying to lower expectations as he uses three Latin American clay-court tournaments to prepare for a run at an eighth French Open title. (ANI)