Rafael Nadal targeting Monte Carlo Masters as his first event back from injury, says tournament director

ByNigel Chiu

Updated 15/03/2023 at 17:38 GMT

Rafael Nadal is looking to return for the start of the clay court season with an eye on the Monte Carlo Masters, the tournament have revealed. Nadal will drop to his lowest ranking since 2005 this month as he recovers from a hip injury whilst his rivals are competing at Indian Wells and the Miami Masters. However, the Spaniard could be back in action in early April.

Rafael Nadal is targeting a return to tennis at the Monte Carlo Masters, according to the tournament director of the event.

Nadal has not played since losing in the second round of the Australian Open to Mackenzie McDonald, where he picked up a hip injury.

At the end of February, Nadal confirmed his injury would leave him out of action for at least another month, forcing him to miss the 'Sunshine Swing' of Indian Wells and the Miami Masters.

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He will drop out of the top 10 in the ATP rankings for the first time this month, but could be back in action on April 8 in Monte Carlo, as the clay-court season gets going.

“Rafa was the first [player] to be registered," said David Massey, leading the organisation of the Masters 1000 event.

“He really wants to play at the Monte Carlo Masters and is giving himself every chance to take part in the tournament he’s so fond of.”

The 36-year-old returned to training last week as he posted a video on social media on the clay with a caption which simply said “yes”.

'Nadal will always be my biggest rival, not Alcaraz' - Djokovic

Nadal has won the Monte Carlo Masters a record 11 times in his career and will be bidding to win a 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open which gets underway on May 28.

Casper Ruud, Nadal's rival and friend, told Eurosport’s 'Ruud Talk' that he would never count out Nadal when it comes to Roland-Garros.

Speaking with Dominic Thiem, the Norwegian said: “I don't know, I still feel like if Dominic or I shouldn't root for ourselves, I think we both can say that we wouldn't be surprised if Rafa came up with some ridiculous level once again.

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"It wouldn't surprise me because he will probably use these weeks and these months as he is preparing for exactly, you know, Roland-Garros.

“You know, it doesn't matter if he loses in Monte Carlo or if he loses in Rome or Madrid. The only thing that is probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy and be ready for Roland-Garros.”

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