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PARIS, FRANCE October 06. Winner Rafael Nadal of Spain is congratulated by Jannik Sinner of Italy at the net after the Quarter Final match of the singles competition on Court Philippe-Chatrier during the French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
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PARIS, FRANCE October 06. Winner Rafael Nadal of Spain is congratulated by Jannik Sinner of Italy at the net after the Quarter Final match of the singles competition on Court Philippe-Chatrier during the French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
It’s time for the Monte Carlo Masters 2021 and players are pretty excited for the tournament. It’s the beginning of the clay-court season, and all players will look to adapt to the surface quickly in Monte Carlo as the season builds up to the French Open. Once again, all the eyes will be on the ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal who will be eyeing his 12th Monte Carlo Masters title.
In the pre-match interview, World No.2 Rafael Nadal expressed his view on Jannik Sinner. The two hit the net together at the Australian Open 2021, and Sinner claimed that it really helped him a lot.
via Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – Italy’s Jannik Sinner in action during his quarter-final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
“I am happy for Jannik. He is a great guy, having a great season. I honestly didn’t see much of Miami. Sorry. I can’t have a clear opinion. But at the same time, I mean, I saw the draw. Jannik has a tough first round against Albert Ramos. He know how to play very well on clay. He play a very good week last week in Marbella,” said Rafa in the interview.
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KEY BISCAYNE, FL – MARCH 25: Rafael Nadal attends the Miami Open – Celebrity Sightings at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 25, 2016, in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)
Nadal admitted that Sinner is having a great season so far. He claimed that the Italian player knows how to play on clay and can cause a few upsets at the Monte Carlo Masters 2021.
“Tough match for Novak, too, no?”- Rafael Nadal on Janik Sinner against Djokovic at Monte Carlo Masters
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It is likely that Sinner will most probably face a tough encounter against Novak Djokovic in the second round of the tournament. Even though he believes that Djoker is coming to Monte Carlo after winning the Australian Open 2021, he took a dig and said that it’d be difficult for Novak too to face an in-form Sinner.
via Reuters
Tennis – A Day at the Drive Exhibition – Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia – Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his first match against Italy’s Jannik Sinner at A Day at The Drive REUTERS/Morgan Sette
“For Jannik, I’m sure he’s focused on winning the first match. If he plays against Novak, is of course a tough match for Jannik, probably a tough match for Novak, too, no? But Novak came here after winning another slam… He will be ready, no? But let’s see. I don’t know. I can’t have a clear opinion on that. Of course, going to be a tough battle if that happens,” added the Spaniard.
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Sinner v Djokovic will surely be an intriguing battle to watch. However, Rafa himself would like to play some attacking tennis and leave his mark on his favorite surface yet again. Will Nadal be able to lift the French Open title yet again this year?
Also Read: How Can Rafael Nadal Reclaim World No.2 Spot From Daniil Medvedev After Monte Carlo Masters 2021?
