WATCH Rafael Nadal practice at the Monte Carlo Masters
By Harry Floyd
The King of Clay is gearing up for yet another run at the Monte Carlo Masters. He looks good so far on the practice courts.
Action in men’s singles kicks off at the 2019 Monte Carlo Masters this weekend. The ATP Tour shared a video of Rafael Nadal hitting the practice courts earlier this week. The King of Clay is in his element. WATCH the video here of Rafa’s first practice session in Monte-Carlo.
Nadal is the second seed this year at the event. He is, however, an 11-time champion in men’s singles at the Monte Carlo Masters and is the current three-time defending champ… This is the time of year that Nadal shines.
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The top seed in Monte-Carlo is world number one Novak Djokovic. He has been red hot throughout the past year, winning three consecutive Grand Slam singles titles. Djokovic has cooled off somewhat as of late though.
He needs to prove that he can keep up that unprecedented momentum we witnessed at the end of 2018 and earlier this year. Djokovic is the 2013 and 2015 champion in men’s singles at Monte-Carlo. He could make a strong run this year and challenge Nadal’s three-peat.
We’ve already discussed whether or not Nadal can defend his title at the Monte Carlo Masters but there’s no real answer just yet. The road to a title is going to be a tough one this year. Can Nadal defend and win his fourth consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title?
Players like up and coming tennis star Denis Shapovalov, veteran great Stan Wawrinka, and former ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov are all on Rafa’s half of the men’s singles draw. Wawrinka kicks off his campaign against French tennis star Lucas Pouille. We give our prediction on that opening round match here. Wawrinka is also a former champion at the tournament, winning back in 2014.
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Nadal has his work cut out for him. He looks good in practice though. He is the King of Clay. And, his is undoubtedly the player to beat at the Monte Carlo Masters year in and year out.