Rafael Nadal might be the new leader in the 2017 season points race, but the Spaniard isn’t focusing on a return to the No. 1 in the 52-week list.

“I want to be high in the ranking,” Nadal said Tuesday in Rome. “Because if I am high in the ranking means I am playing well. That’s all.

“But I said before the season, somebody asked me about try to be No. 1 again, and I said I not gonna try to be No. 1 again. If happens because I am playing so well, great. But I am not going to do a calendar to try to be No. 1. I am going to try to do my calendar the normal calendar, and if happens, will be something amazing, but that not worries me a lot.

“I feel myself competitive in all of the matches that I competed this year. And that’s what makes me happy,” he said. “More than being 4th, 5th, 6th or 2nd. Doesn’t matter. Most important for me is enjoy every week and feel myself well.”

With current No. 1 Andy Murray reeling and Novak Djokovic struggling, Nadal could get to No. 2 by sweeping Rome and the French, then make a charge at No. 1 during Wimbledon where Murray is the defending champion.

Nadal advanced to the third round today in Rome after Nicolas Almagro pulled up lame with a knee injury.