22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal of Spain will play in the Monte Carlo Masters from April 8 to make a comeback from injury. The organizers of this clay court tournament have given this information on Wednesday. Nadal will return after recovering from a hip injury.
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Rafael Nadal hasn't been on the court since his Australian Open second-round loss to American Mackenzie McDonald, aggravating a hip injury. An MRI exam the next day revealed the extent of the injury. Moreover, the Spaniard missed the Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open due to the same injury. He is set to return to the ATP Tour on his favorite surface having stepped up training in the last week.
The Monte Carlo Masters begins on April 8 and the tournament director David Massey is optimistic Rafael Nadal will play. "Rafa was the first player to sign up. He wants to play in Monaco and is giving himself every chance to be able to participate in this tournament he loves so much, and which he has won 11 times in singles, including a record eight consecutive titles between 2005 and 2012." Director David Massey said in a statement.
Rafael Nadal has won the Monte Carlo Masters 11 times, including eight consecutive titles from 2005 to 2012. The 116th edition of the Monte Carlo Masters is the first major European tournament to kick off the clay season. The 36-year-old Rafael Nadal uses the event as a key part of his preparations for the French Open. French Open will take place May 28-June 11.
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Meanwhile, the field will be led by Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic. The other players include the Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Holger Rune, Felix Auger-Aliassime. The 116th edition of the tournament main draw will be organized on April 7 in the presence of Stefanos Tsitsipas. He won his second consecutive singles title last year.