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Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand against Guido Pella of Argentinain their quarter final match during day six of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand against Guido Pella of Argentinain their quarter final match during day six of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
20-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal, had a concerning start to his 2021 season. He had been suffering from a back issue from the beginning, which forced him to withdraw from every tournament except the Australian Slam.
After losing in the quarterfinal there, the 34-year-old has had enough time to recover before the clay season begins. Rafa’s doctor, Ángel Ruiz Cotorro, recently shared an update on this.
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The doctor said, “(Rafa) is training well, he is training hard. His goal is clay, first Monte-Carlo, and his final goal is Roland Garros.”
(All quotes have been translated from Spanish to English via Google Translate)
Rafael Nadal looking sharp in practice ahead of Monte-Carlo
Rafael Nadal has already begun his preparations for the upcoming Monte-Carlo Masters at his academy, and he looked sharp as ever.
His coach, Carlos Moya, and Norwegian player, Casper Ruud, also accompanied him during the training session.
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PARIS, FRANCE: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day fifteen of the 2020 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
These are all positive signs coming from Team Rafa. However, it will be interesting to see how he comes out from the long break since he is regarded as the best tennis player ever to grace the clay courts.
With the recent conclusion of the Miami Open, all eyes have switched to the Monte-Carlo Masters. Instead of Rafael Nadal, Serbian Novak Djokovic and Russian Daniil Medvedev will enter as top seeds this year.
Thus, along with picking up a solid momentum for the French Open, the Spaniard will also want his world ranking back.
Read More: Novak Djokovic’s Father Accuses Roger Federer of Attacking Son When He Was Aged 18-19
What to expect from Nadal at Monte-Carlo Masters 2021?
As a Masters 1000 and first clay-court event of 2021, the Monte-Carlo Masters has numerous expectations placed on it. Italian Fabio Fognini will be defending his 2019 title this year.
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Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning championship point during his Men’s Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day fifteen of the 2020 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
But Nadal has won a record 11 Monte-Carlo Masters and will aim for his 12th. If he wins, it will also bring him confidence for the clay season finale in Paris, where he will bid for a record-extending 14th French Open and 21st Grand Slam overall.
Do you think Rafa can win yet another French Open this year?
Also Read: French Open 2021 To Be Reportedly Postponed
