Rafael Nadal is supposed to be ready for the upcoming Monte-Carlo Masters, but now his status is uncertain, much to the disappointment of this SBOTOP writer and the rest of his fans.
The Mallorca native has dominated this event, particularly in the late 2000s. He’s the winningest ATP player here with 11 titles, so the hope is that he’ll be able to make his triumphant clay court return.
Meanwhile, his Big 3 colleague Novak Djokovic is one of the first few players to have already started getting acquainted with the clay courts.
Speaking of getting acquainted with the clay courts, Jannik Sinner needs to do that fast since he doesn’t have a great record there so far in his young tennis career.
Learn more about the latest Monte-Carlo Masters 2024 updates by continuing to read below.
Nadal retirement rumours continue to swirl
Rafael Nadal’s long-awaited return might be delayed if recent reports are to be believed. In what is a trending topic on social media nowadays, Nadal is said to be still struggling with injuries, this time with his back.
It can be noted that Rafael Nadal hasn’t played in a competitive tournament since January after he picked up a hip injury in Brisbane, prompting him to withdraw from the Australian Open.
He also pulled out of a planned comeback in Qatar in February, but he was able to play against Carlos Alcaraz in the Netflix Slam exhibition event last month.
But unfortunately for the 11-time Monte-Carlo Masters titlist, he couldn’t stay 100-per cent fit, as he had to withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters due to a back problem, which is not the same area where he sustained a muscle tear in Brisbane.
Nadal has posted on his social media accounts in recent days to chart his progress, as he was seen hitting groundstrokes with power, but there’s no footage of him hitting serves.
During the Netflix Slam event in Las Vegas, Nadal’s back problem was evident because his serve was not as strong as it was before.
For now, Nadal is considered questionable to play in the Monte-Carlo Masters, but we won’t be surprised if he pulls out yet again because of the hectic schedule that awaits him after the tournament. After the Monte-Carlo Masters, Nadal is due to play in Barcelona before he is set to compete in Madrid and Rome before the Roland Garros.
However, the bigger picture for Rafael Nadal is his long-term health. Because of his myriad of injuries, there’s a big worry that he might not be able to end his decorated tennis career on his own terms.
Djokovic trying to get a leg up in France amid coaching search
Novak Djokovic got his batteries recharged ahead of the clay-court swing after not competing in the Miami Open, so he is expected to be one of the favourites, as per the Monte-Carlo Masters 2024 odds.
The Serb was spotted practicing recently in Belgrade with potentially his new coaching staff after his split from Goran Ivanisevic, who was relieved of his duties after the 24-time Grand Slam champion lost to Luca Nardi in the third round of the Indian Wells Masters.
Djokovic was not the only notable player in Belgrade, as he was joined by Holger Rune, the winner of last year’s Monte-Carlo Masters. The two of them have made it an annual tradition to train together before the clay-court swing begins.
Holger Rune is coming off a disappointing loss in Miami after he was eliminated in the Round of 64 by Fabian Marozsan as he fought through illness at the time.
Can Sinner overcome his clay court woes?
Jannik Sinner’s confidence is at an all-time high after he won his third title this year already. After winning the Miami Open, the new world no. 2 now has an impressive 22-1 win-loss record.
However, the young Italian still has a long way to go because his record on clay courts so far leaves a lot to be desired, as he has just won one career title (out of 13), which was when he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the 2022 Umag final.
Sinner would’ve also won his second career title in clay courts if he hadn’t lost to Holger Rune in last year’s Monte-Carlo Masters in disappointing fashion. So, this makes him the man to watch in the coming weeks since he will get to gauge his overall progress, especially when he goes up against the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, both of whom are more experienced on the surface.
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