ATP Masters Monte Carlo: Rafael Nadal and the special challenge
Rafael Nadal goes to the ATP Masters 1000 event in Monte Carlo as the big title contender. And that although the preparation this year was completely different.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Apr 11, 2021, 07:34 pm
Rafael Nadal has already taken no less than eleven trophies with him to Spain from the Principality of Monaco, specifically from the metropolis of Monte Carlo. Third in the world rankings, he dominates the event on the coast like no other. And is therefore also in the 2021 edition, which started yesterday, Sunday, as the great hunted.
But not everything was so perfect for the Mallorcan, who had bet on a long break from competition after his bitter quarter-final at the Australian Open. Also to completely cure a back injury that the 34-year-old was still struggling with in Down Under. "I feel very good. I haven't had any problems in the last few training sessions and my body is in good shape. I'm not used to coming to this tournament and have only played so few games before, but I'm looking forward to this challenge" said the 20-time Grand Slam winner about his preparation for the tournament.
Nadal: "Don't think about Roland Garros at the moment"
Despite the changed circumstances, the Spaniard is looking forward to the upcoming clay court season, who has always been in top form in this part of the season in the past. "I love to play in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Paris. I love these tournaments. Of course, it won't be the same without the atmosphere typical of the big dates. I'm looking forward to playing in these tournaments again and to compete in these historical places of our sport. "
The big season highlight comes at the end of the clay court swing, when the French Open starts in Paris. A tournament that the 13-time champion doesn't really want to talk about right now: "I'm not thinking about Roland Garros at the moment. There is still a long way to go before this tournament. And now I'm only concentrating on Monte Carlo. Let's hope that Roland Garros can be played with utter normalcy, within the scope of the possibilities we will have at this point and as the pandemic develops. "