World No. 2 Rafael Nadal has been diagnosed with enlargement of the appendix Sunday but despite of that, the Spaniard announced that he will still play at the Shanghai Rolex Masters in China on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Spaniard arrived in Shanghai on Saturday. He said that he experienced a lot of stomach pain overnight and went to a nearby hospital the following morning.

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Nadal was then diagnosed by doctors with the beginnings of appendicitis and was offered aggressive antibiotics in an attempt to avoid immediate surgery.

"I was in the hospital on Sunday," Nadal said in a press conference. "Yesterday the nurse came to my room to give me treatment again. Today I was at the hospital in the morning again. I had again the antibiotics. It seems like everything is under control now."

The pain must have reduced significantly for Nadal was able to practice for 45 minutes at the Qizhong Tennis Center.

Nadal said that he was feeling better and that since he is already in Shanghai, he might as well try to play.

"I am in Shanghai. I am here to play a tournament. If I don't play, I don't have the possibility to win," added Nadal.

Doctors also said that sooner or later Nadal would require surgery to remove his appendix but he would still consult his doctors back home at Mallorca on when the operation would be.

"I have to talk to my doctors when I get back home," Nadal said. "Sooner or later I have to take it out."

The eight-time French Open champion is scheduled to play fellow countryman Feliciano Lopez on Wednesday evening.

Nadal wasn't able to play for three months due to a wrist injury including the U.S. Open. He returned to the courts last week at the China Open in Beijing where he was stunned by Slovakian qualifier Martin Klizan at the quarterfinals in three sets.

TagsFeliciano Lopez, Martin Klizan, rafael nadal