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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic should compete at the season's third Masters 1000 event in Monte Carlo! Two legends are on the official poster and the entry list, hoping to chase the title after missing Indian Wells and Miami.
Rafa and Novak have won 13 Monte Carlo titles since 2005, with the Spaniard lifting an incredible 11 trophies. The Serb and the Spaniard have not been among the champions since 2019, and they will be eager to change that between April 6-14 after not competing in March.
Nadal is the most prominent name in Monte Carlo Masters history, lifting 11 titles between 2005 and 2018. Rafa claimed the first title at 18 and became the most dominant player at a single Masters 1000 event. Nadal has not played since the Australian Open, experiencing a hip injury in the second round and skipping Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami.
Rafa is back on the practice court, hoping to get ready for Monte Carlo and challenge the rivals from the top.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been confirmed to play in Monte Carlo.
Djokovic is a two-time Monte Carlo champion and one of Nadal's most formidable rivals in the Principality.
World no. 1 could not enter the USA and play in Indian Wells and Miami due to his vaccination status. Novak hopes for a strong return in Monte Carlo in his first event since the Dubai semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev. The Serb claimed titles in Adelaide and Melbourne at the start of the year, setting his eyes on Ivan Lendl's 94 ATP crowns in the Principality.
Like Nadal, Djokovic has not been at his best in Monte Carlo in a previous couple of years. Novak fell to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round a year ago, with the Spaniard scoring a 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 triumph in two hours and 54 minutes.
Djokovic claimed the second set but had nothing more left in the tank, struggling in the decider and experiencing his earliest Masters 1000 loss since Miami 2018. Struggling to impose his strokes in windy conditions, Novak sprayed too many mistakes and hit the exit door.
The Spaniard defended seven out of 11 break chances and delivered nine breaks from 20 opportunities to control the scoreboard in sets one and three. Novak fired 27 winners and 51 unforced errors, and Alejandro landed 37 winners and 34 mistakes for a much better ratio.
Djokovic should be among the favorites in a couple of weeks, along side Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.