Monte Carlo Masters 2013

[britbox]

Monte Carlo is around the corner.

Draws can be found here:

http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/Scores/Draws.aspx

Discuss!

 

[Denis]

I think Novak will play. This is a statement he made on his website:

“I’ve been practising for the past few days on the court and before that I was working on the rehabilitation, strengthening my ankle, and we’re still in the process,” Novak said. “Things are looking good. It’s better than I expected it to be. I still can’t 100 per cent guarantee that I will be on the court on Wednesday, because I have to be realistic and cautious and see in practice in the next few days, if I push myself to the limit, if I’m going to have any big problems. It will give me an indication if I should or should not play.”

 

[Front242]

Not sure how credible this source is but Julien Benneteau was said to say Djokovic had slight issues with movement. I'm sure he'll only play if he feels able to compete 100% though as he's obviously not going to jeopardize his whole clay season.

Certainly don't want to see him play and hurt himself more unnecessarily.

http://www.tennisnews24.it/en/2013/04/14/atp-montecarlo-novak-djokovic-ancora-in-dubbio-decidero-martedi/

 

[tented]

Not sure how credible this source is but Julien Benneteau was said to say Djokovic had slight issues with movement. I'm sure he'll only play if he feels able to compete 100% though as he's obviously not going to jeopardize his whole clay season.

Certainly don't want to see him play and hurt himself more unnecessarily.

http://www.tennisnews24.it/en/2013/04/14/atp-montecarlo-novak-djokovic-ancora-in-dubbio-decidero-martedi/

I agree. If he's putting the rest of his clay season in jeopardy by playing MC, then he should -- and hopefully will -- skip it.

I know he has finals points to defend, but given how far out in front he is as No. 1, the points are the last thing he should be worried about.

 

[Moxie]

The story for the next few days will be if Djokovic will play, and how he looks once he does. I agree it would be foolish to play and jeopardize the rest of the clay season, if he feels too tentative on the ankle. He has a rather tricky draw, too. He could meet Isner in the 3rd round, and John just won Houston on clay, over Almagro. And DelPo looms...those are the two guys that beat him the last 2 times at IW. I don't think he can get to Sunday if he's only half-speed, unless his draw really opens up.

 

[Riotbeard]

Moxie,

Isner has to beat Gulbis before djokovic which will be a tough ask considering the quick turnaround from houston to monte carrlo. I am glad big john is getting to Europe early, and hope he ends up being a terror on clay, but I am not sure monte carlo will be tournament for him considering his first round draw and jet lag. BTW, I hope Houston may mean he is breaking his slump of late. Almagro on clay is not small feat.

 

[tennisville]

Nole is hoping he can make it by Tuesday . I wont be putting him far on my draw challenge

 

[tented]

Monday's schedule:

http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/Schedule/Live-OOP.aspx

I'm curious about Raonic/Benneteau, Cilic/Zeballos, and Andujar/Chardy. Dodig/Paire could also be interesting.

I know play has already begun, but I'm recording the matches on DVR and will watch later.

 

[huntingyou]

Really looking forward to see what form will Murray display. He is fresh and has emphasized conditioning training this year after the AO.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Really looking forward to see what form will Murray display. He is fresh and has emphasized conditioning training this year after the AO.

Ditto...I wonder how he wil move on clay.

 

[Srini]

I have a feeling Novak will either withdraw or will not be able to reach the final stages. He is saying he will try but I feel he will want to face Rafa when he is 100%.
Absolutely curious to watch Murray Vs Rafa. Hoping this match up gets a little interesting.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Great job from Milos . Good to see him have his clay legs under him. Benettaue is not an easy first round match for anyone.

 

[Asmodeus]

If the Serbian monkey pulls out then we'll have to change the name of this event to Monte Lameo! Might as well just give the thing to Nadal and save everyone the time.

 

[rafanoy1992]

So, has Djokovic withdraw already or is he still testing his ankle?

Also, like other posters have said, I curious to see how Murray plays on Clay this year. Unfortunately, Djokovic didn't withdrew early enough (if he intents to withdraw) to be the number one seed in the tournament and avoid Nadal until the Finals.

 

[Denis]

Lol comment by Nadal:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/04/16/Monte-Carlo-Monday-Nadal-Preview.aspx

"I am not the favorite"

Nope, its Benjamin Balleret.

 

[huntingyou]

Rafa is a clown for the most part whenever he opens his mouth or makes scheduling descisions!

 

[ftan]

With Nole almost out, and ROger not being in picture at all, we should very well hand over the trophy to Rafa. Andy does not have it in him to stop Rafa

 

[Didi]

Rafa is a clown for the most part whenever he opens his mouth or makes scheduling descisions!

With all due respect for your opinion, but what if the guy was just being directly asked whether he considers himself to be the favorite for the tournament? And what would you expect him to say then? Yes, I am, I'm the favroite. Then, the opposite would happen. There would be more than enough haters saying he's arrogant and that he's saying what everybody else already knows. Look, just imagine youself being Rafa in MC in front of a microphone and being asked whether or not you consider yourself to be the favorite. You are pretty much always going to answer it in a way somebody will beat you with. You cannot win. Tell us what he should have said in your opinion. I'm curious to know.

 

[Denis]

Rafa is a clown for the most part whenever he opens his mouth or makes scheduling descisions!

With all due respect for your opinion, but what if the guy was just being directly asked whether he considers himself to be the favorite for the tournament? And what would you expect him to say then? Yes, I am, I'm the favroite. Then, the opposite would happen. There would be more than enough haters saying he's arrogant and that he's saying what everybody else already knows. Look, just imagine youself being Rafa in MC in front of a microphone and being asked whether or not you consider yourself to be the favorite. You are pretty much always going to answer it in a way somebody will beat you with. You cannot win. Tell us what he should have said in your opinion. I'm curious to know.

Rafa is no clown, and I get that he needed to respond to a question, but it is a bit silly to say you're not the favorite at Monte Carlo if you look in the mirror and you see Rafa Nadal.

He could have said that he feels confident he can win again, he has had some great tournaments, and that he is ready to compete and to beat everyone he faces.

That would more than adequetely cover the extremely silly question by the journalist.

 

[Moxie]

Rafa is a clown for the most part whenever he opens his mouth or makes scheduling descisions!

With all due respect for your opinion, but what if the guy was just being directly asked whether he considers himself to be the favorite for the tournament? And what would you expect him to say then? Yes, I am, I'm the favroite. Then, the opposite would happen. There would be more than enough haters saying he's arrogant and that he's saying what everybody else already knows. Look, just imagine youself being Rafa in MC in front of a microphone and being asked whether or not you consider yourself to be the favorite. You are pretty much always going to answer it in a way somebody will beat you with. You cannot win. Tell us what he should have said in your opinion. I'm curious to know.

Rafa is no clown, and I get that he needed to respond to a question, but it is a bit silly to say you're not the favorite at Monte Carlo if you look in the mirror and you see Rafa Nadal.

He could have said that he feels confident he can win again, he has had some great tournaments, and that he is ready to compete and to beat everyone he faces.

That would more than adequetely cover the extremely silly question by the journalist.

It seems he said a variation of what you suggested, Denisovich. The quote in the headline is "I am not the favorite," but he actually said "I am not the biggest favorite." Which, given his English, could simply mean that he wouldn't say he was an *overwhelming* favorite. It's a modest hedge. He goes on to say that nothing lasts forever, and someday he's going to lose. If you read the whole quote, he addresses the law of averages, and his own recent injury period. He says he doesn't feel the same pressure this year, because of it. No reason to fault the players if they take a little pressure off themselves in these pressers, IMO.

It's easy for tennis fans like us to think he's outrageously favored. But the players have everything in front of them to do. I think folks should give them a break if they're not willing to concede that they're already set for the final, or lifting the trophy. Djokovic is still in, and so is Murray, and they'd both dearly love to take this title off of Rafa. I'm sure he's keenly aware that they, and everyone else, are gunning for him.