Rafael Nadal has dig at Roger Federer for avoiding him on clay
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 16/04/2018 at 08:50 GMT
Rafa Nadal has jokingly suggested that Roger Federer is avoiding playing him on clay.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal share a joke in Shanghai.
Image credit: Eurosport
Nadal is returning to competitive action in Monte-Carlo this week, but his old rival Federer has revealed that – for the second year in succession – he will miss the entire clay court season.
That announcement seemingly caught Nadal by surprise, as the Spaniard joked:
He says he will love to play against me again in best-of-five sets on clay. He said that a couple of days ago – and I thought he would play Roland Garros. Then a few days later he says he will not play in one event, so there’s a little bit of controversy with that.
Nadal will be favourite to win in Monte-Carlo as he bids to win the event for a remarkable 11th time in his career.
And the World No. 1 says he’s feeling in fine fettle as he returns to action.
“I feel good,” he said. “I’m practising well, I am playing with the right intensity I think.”
Federer’s decision to withdraw from last year’s clay season paid dividends, with the Swiss star going on to win Wimbledon.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/01/11/2243037-46759530-2560-1440.jpg)
Federer: Nadal made me laugh and I couldn't stop - it lasted 20 minutes!
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement