World number one Rafael Nadal has the most number of ranking points to defend this claycourt season – after all, he made a historic feat last year when he swept the Monte Carlo Masters, Rome Masters, Madrid Masters and Roland Garros titles. Though he wants to achieve the same feat this year, he realistically said that it is highly unlikely.
“What I did last year, winning Monte Carlo, Rome, Madrid and Roland Garros, was historic. I don’t think that I can do it this year. It didn’t happen in 50 or 60 years. So I guess I can’t do the same two times in a row,” the top-ranked player said.
Nadal is aiming for a record seventh consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title. Serbian Novak Djokovic, the world number two who had defeated Nadal in both Indian Wells and Miami finals, has pulled out of the tournament. The tournament’s second seeding was awarded to rival Roger Federer, a three-time Monte Carlo Masters finalist.
