(Reuters) – Rafael Nadal is optimistic he will be 100 percent fit for the ATP Finals as he bids to seal the year-end world number one ranking for the fifth time in his career.

The 33-year-old Mallorcan took over at the summit from Novak Djokovic this week but suffered an abdominal injury at the Paris Masters where he withdrew from his semi-final on Saturday.

Although he leads Djokovic by 640 points heading into the London climax, he is likely to need a strong finish at an event he is yet to win to prevent the Serb reclaiming the top spot.

“I need to go day by day,” Rafa told reporters after arriving at London’s Thames-side O2 Arena by boat on Friday.

“I’m happy to be here because after last Saturday in Paris I didn’t know if I would have the chance to be here.

“So I’m excited to be here after a couple of years without being able to play. I need to see how things evolve every single day. I have good hopes to be 100 percent ready for Monday.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain arrives at the O2 during previews for the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Matteo Berrettini of Italy arrive during previews for the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks to the media during previews for the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks to the media during previews for the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks to the media during previews for the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks to the media during previews for the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: (L-R) Alexander Zverev of Germany, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, Daniil Medvedev of Russia and Rafael Nadal of Spain speak to the media during previews for the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: (R-L) Alexander Zverev of Germany, Dominic Thiem of Austria, Matteo Berrettini of Italy, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Roger Federer of Switzerland, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose for a selfie on a boat on The River Thames during previews for the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: (R-L) Alexander Zverev of Germany, Dominic Thiem of Austria, Matteo Berrettini of Italy, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Roger Federer of Switzerland, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose for a selfie on a boat on The River Thames during previews for the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Rafa has been placed in the Andre Agassi group alongside defending champion Alexander Zverev and debutants Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and Russian Daniil Medvedev.

“I started (serving) yesterday, very slow,” Rafa, who won this year’s French and U.S. Opens to move to 19 Grand Slam titles, one behind Roger Federer’s record, said.

“I know I have been playing well in Paris and for me the main goal is to be healthy for Monday.

“I have been serving very well in Bercy, I had good matches, so I am confident that I can be very competitive but of course it’s a tournament that you will face the top guys from the beginning so you need to be 100 percent ready.

“But I really hope I will be able to serve every single day a little better and my hope is to be on Sunday serving normal.”

Rafa has qualified for the ATP Finals for the 15th time in his career but has only actually played on eight occasions because of a career-long battle with various injuries.

His most recent appearance was in 2017 when he played only one of his group matches, limping to defeat against David Goffin. He has twice made the final since the tournament moved to London, in 2010 when he lost to Federer and in 2013 when he was beaten by Djokovic.

“Yeah I’ve qualified for 15 years but I don’t know how many years I’ve completed the tournament,” Rafa said. “But I would love to have the opportunity to (win the title).”

Even if Rafa withdrew or failed to win a group match, Djokovic would still need to reach the final to claim the year-end ranking for a record-equaling sixth time — a feat only American Pete Sampras has achieved.