Rafael Nadal’s doctor, Angel Ruiz Cotorro confirms the Spaniard will compete at Monte-Carlo Masters


Rafael Nadal’s doctor, Angel Ruiz Cotorro confirms the Spaniard will compete at Monte-Carlo Masters

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has been missing in action ever since his Australian Open 2021 quarterfinal loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas in February. The Spaniard withdrew from marquee events like Rotterdam Open and Miami Open 2021, to name a few. It is thought the world number three was recovering from a back injury that troubled him in Melbourne earlier this year.

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However, with the clay court season underway this week, Rafael Nadal is all set to return on tour. Angel Ruiz Cotorro, Nadal’s doctor, confirmed the latest development and stated that the ‘King of Clay’ is all set to return at Monte Carlo Masters.

His first event will be Monte Carlo, the ultimate goal is Roland Garros. That’s clear,” Cotorro said in an interview to RTVE.

Rafael Nadal’s astonishing record at Monte Carlo Masters

Rafael Nadal has an astonishing record at Monte Carlo Masters, winning the title on an incredible 11 occasions. The Spaniard won eight consecutive titles from 2005-2012, and completed a hattrick of titles from 2016-2018. The world number three had beaten Roger Federer in three consecutive finals in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

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Last year, the tournament was canceled in view of the covid-19 pandemic. As a result, Fabio Fognini enters the tournament as the defending champion, having won the title in 2019. The Italian also defeated Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of Monte Carlo Masters that year.

The Monte Carlo Masters is expected to be the first of several clay court tournaments, Rafael Nadal will compete in the next two months. He is expected to play the Barcelona Open, and either of the Madrid Masters or the Italian Open. He will end the clay court season with an eye on his 14th French Open title in May-June.

Also Read: ‘I think I would learn a lot,’ Sumit Nagal speaks on Nadal and Federer