For Rafael Nadal the Monte Carlo Masters is just as important for his mental state as it is for his physical performance.
Despite being the world No.1, the Spaniard has only played one ATP tournament so far this season due to injury. Heading into the Australian Open, he delayed his start to the year to prepare more after withdrawing from November’s ATP finals with a knee problem. At Melbourne, he sustained a hip injury that resulted in his absence from the tour for almost two months. To make things worse, he withdrew from an event in Mexico due to the recurrence of the hip issue.
“Mentally, it was even harder the second time,” Nadal said anbout his latest injury, according to atpworldtour.com. “The second one was frustrating because I’d done everything the right way to recover… I returned to Mallorca and it was tough not to have the opportunity to play tennis.
“If you’re injured and you’re able to do different things, play golf and different sports, it distracts you. But with this injury I couldn’t do anything – no physical work and every movement I did, it affected the injury.”
The fact he is fit in time for the clay season has its positives and negatives for Nadal. He is regarded as one of the greatest ever players to play on the surface with 53 clay court ATP titles to his name. Furthermore, he is a 10-time champion of events in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and the French Open. At Roland Garros the Spaniard is the first and only player to have ever won the same grand slam ten times.
Along with a rich reputation comes high expectation. The world No.1 has 4680 points to defend until the conclusion of the French Open. To put this into perspective, in the top 10 the second highest amount is Dominic Thiem with 2070 points at stake.
Moya’s warning
Nadal is a player that seeks confidence from the matches he played. It is for this reason why some have expressed concerns about his recent lack of play. Regardless of his emphatic performance at last weekend’s Davis Cup tie in Valencia. One of those expressing reservations is coach Carlos Moya. Who joined the Spaniard’s team in December 2016.
“Rafa has been more inactive, with fewer games than last year and a little less confidence because he is the type of player who thinks he has to play a lot of games to get right for the big moment,” Moya told as.com.
“I believe a tennis player of his quality depends less on that and more on being without physical issues.
“It looks positive and if he doesn’t have a physical problem he will have a great season.”
If there was a potential confidence crisis emerging, Nadal is reluctant to admit it publicly. Addressing reporters during Sunday’s media day in Monte Carlo, there was nothing but positivity from him.
“I feel that I’m playing well,” he revealed. “I had some good days of practice here, playing some good sets. That helps me. I love this event. I always feel comfortable here.
“The weather has been good, even if it’s been raining a little bit today. It’s not windy, so it’s good conditions to play tennis. I’m enjoying that. I’m enjoying being here in Monte-Carlo in an event that always brings me the best feelings possible and good memories.”
Seeking Monte Carlo title No.11, Nadal will start his campaign against either Aljaz Bedene or Mirza Basic. That is when the tour will gets its first glimpse of where Nadal really is both mentally and physically.
