The fresh winner of the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 is not wrong. For his return to competition after more than three months of absence, Rafael Nadal (ATP 644) had no difficulty in overcoming the Italian Flavio Cobolli (ATP 62): 6-2, 6-3 in 1h25 of play. And to think that his last meeting on clay dates back to his final victory at Roland-Garros… 2022.
Certainly, this Tuesday, his opponent did not offer his best tennis. Certainly, the 37-year-old Spaniard has sometimes shown restraint and in particular on his serve. But he generally reassured about his physical condition and his level. He lacks rhythm, but that's normal after only three short matches played last January and an almost blank 2023 season.
Rafael Nadal himself put things into perspective. “I leave the match with slight confidence in my ability to be competitive, even though my opponent made many mistakeshe indicated at the end of the game. I proposed a logical level, that didn't surprise me. Tomorrow, a top player awaits me, I will need more.”
The Bull of Manacor also refuses to see himself as one of the favorites in an event that he has won twelve times. “It's stupid to think I'm the favorite this week. Everyone knows that I am no longer favorite to win a tournament, but there is a story behind it that matters. Maybe that was the case in today’s game, I don’t know, but not tomorrow.”
This Wednesday, around 4 p.m., a real test awaits the left-hander: a duel against the Australian Alex de Minaur (ATP 11).
Stefanos Tsitsipas wins his third Monte-Carlo tournament by defeating Casper Ruud
