Rome: Nadal and Djokovic in Rome to bury doubts before Roland-Garros

Nadal arrives at the last Masters 1000 pre-Roland Garros with only one title in his pocket on the ocher (Barcelona) and especially two eliminations in the quarters during the two 1000s in Monte-Carlo and then in Madrid. One of his worst runs, which is reminiscent of 2019 (defeats in the semi-finals in these three tournaments). That year, it was in Rome that he had become himself again, beating the Serbian in the final, before triumphing in Paris. Djokovic, after his victory at the Australian Open in February, also had a mixed landing on clay before withdrawing for Madrid. The Roman setting, where one of the two (at least) has always been invited to the final since 2005, is an opportunity for them to regain control, in what will look like a dress rehearsal before Roland-Garros ( May 30-June 13). At theWith the exception of Roger Federer, who will go to Geneva (May 16-22) before Paris, the best worlds are expected from Sunday under the gaze of the venerable statues which overhang the Roman courtyards and even, from Thursday, under that of a few thousands of spectators, admitted in reduced size (25%) from the eighths.

Nadal can find Zverev in the quarterfinals

Just a throw away from the Stadio Olimpico, where we are getting ready to host the opening match of the Euro football with some 15,000 spectators on June 11, the courts of Foro Italico will be the scene of the reopening of Italian sport in public, ending the closed session in effect since October. During the 2020 tournament, organized last September after being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, a thousand spectators were able to attend the semi-finals and the men's and women's finals. "The Italian Open are the ray of sunshine at the end of the tunnel," said the Italian Under-Secretary for Sports, ex-fencer Valentina Vezzali. It is not the players who will complain, like Rafael Nadal, who does nothad not hidden his pleasure to find the public at the Masters 1000 in Madrid where the gauge was set this week at 40%. “It makes a big difference, it also helps in terms of energy to support everything else,” explained the Mallorcan. Nadal is aiming for a tenth victory in Rome. But the record holder will seek above all to bounce back after his new elimination in the quarterfinals, Friday in Madrid, against the German Alexander Zverev, whom he can find in Rome again in the quarterfinals.German Alexander Zverev, whom he can find in Rome again in quarterfinals.German Alexander Zverev, whom he can find in Rome again in quarterfinals.

Serenity regained for Monfils?

The only one to have beaten him in the final in the Eternal City is Novak Djokovic, who in September won his fifth title in ten finals, at the expense of Argentinian Diego Schwartzman. But Djoko, too, does not arrive at his best, with two losses on earth against players sailing around 30th place in the world: in the round of 16 of the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 against the Briton Daniel Evans, then in semi-final of the Belgrade tournament in front of the Russian Aslan Karatsev. Since the Australian Open, left with a frustrating defeat in the first round and tears at a press conference, Gaël Monfils has not replayed at all in competition, forfeiting in Madrid for a calf injury. Will the three-month break allow you to regain some serenity? This is whathopes the French (world No. 15), who has not won a single match since he resumed competition in September after the interruption due to Covid-19. Monfils will start in the first round against the Italian Lorenzo Sonego (33rd in the world), recent winner of the Cagliari tournament.

Among the ladies, all the gratin of the circuit is expected in Rome, with the return to business of Serena Williams, absent since her semi-final lost in Australia against Naomi Osaka.

The American, world No. 8, will be the most successful in the women's table with already four victories in Rome.

But she will have a lot to do with the impressive Australian Ashleigh Barty, who can win her fourth victory of the year in four finals on Saturday in Madrid, but also with defending champion Simona Halep, three times finalist in the last four editions.

Read also

• Gentlemen and ladies paintings