Rafael Nadal Appears Primed for Comeback: “I Watched Him Train and He Was Dominating like Never Before, Moving like a Wild Animal”

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Rafael Nadal is expected to be in top form at the Masters 1,000 tournament in Monte Carlo (April 7-14), which should be the opener of possibly his last season on clay. He dreams of a fifteenth triumph at Roland Garros in June.

“You never know what he'll do, but I watched him practice on a private court with Indian Wells owner Larry Ellison and I had the impression I was listening to a wild animal. He hit like never before,” Monegasque tournament director David Massey confirmed on Tuesday during the presentation of the first Masters 1,000 tournament on clay of 2024.

Nadal has since fallen to 652nd place in the ATP rankings, but the 22-time Grand Slam winner enjoys a protected ranking (9th) to be able to appear in the main draw of Monte Carlo. He has already won the overall victory eleven times, but his last title dates back to 2018.

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“We have sent two cartons of balls that will be used in Monte Carlo to him in Mallorca so he can train with them,” Massey added. “Even without competitive rhythm, he has the ability to bounce back and bring out his best tennis.”

The Spaniard, who will blow out 38 candles at Roland Garros, has played only three matches since the hip injury he suffered in the second round of the Australian Open in 2023, mainly at the Brisbane tournament at the beginning of this year. He forfeited this year's Australian Open, as he did for the rest of the hard court season.

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