In response to Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic stated that he hopes his fiercest opponent can “play at least one more tournament before he retires.”
This year’s first Masters 1000 event on clay courts takes place in Monte Carlo, where Djokovic is currently participating. Record 11-time champion Rafael Nadal has announced that he is still unable to compete.
In an interview with the media prior to the competition, Djokovic expressed his hope that Nadal would be able to rejoin the tour, saying, “As a tennis fan, I want him to play at least one more tournament before he retires.” He mentioned that this might be his final season, but he hasn’t played since winning a single tournament in Brisbane.
The 24-time major winner went on, “We traveled together to America. I saw him at Indian Wells, and he was trying his best to play. It’s his favorite surface. We all know what he’s done on clay in his career, especially Roland-Garros. That’s his goal, we all know that, he’s been saying it. “We hope that he can play there. It would be great to have another great encounter.” Nadal is still scheduled to compete in the upcoming weeks at the Barcelona Open and the Madrid Masters, though it is not yet clear how likely this is going to happen given that this has been suggested to be his final season.
