DPA/Monte Carlo


Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal confessed yesterday that making the change from hardcourt to his favoured clay each season is hardly an automatic process.
In fact, the top seed at the Monte Carlo Masters said that it’s a lot like hard work, with no results guaranteed.
“I only play on clay for five - maximum six - tournaments per year, I need time to adapt,” said Nadal. “This is an important part of the season for everyone, not just me.
“I don’t automatically switch from hardcourt to clay, I need time to make the adjustment.
“I need to find the right rhythm, movement and remember how to win points on this surface. Maybe it is easier for me than some players who grew up on cement, but I still need the time.” Nadal said that the last time he played truly well on the surface was his winning French Open final of 2013 when he crushed fellow Spaniard David Ferrer for an eighth title. He barely took notice of his Rio clay trophy of February, saying he played poorly but still won.
The world number one comes to Monaco after a loss to rival Novak Djokovic in the Miami final a fortnight ago, as the Serb completed a sweep of the American pair of Masters 1000 hardcourt tests, the other being Indian Wells.
“I didn’t really compete,” said Nadal, who had only just recovered from back problems which compromised his losing Australian Open final against Stanislas Wawrinka. “I wasn’t ready for that (Miami) final.”
Nadal said he only began training on clay a week ago but pronounced himself pleased with his sessions so far.
“I’ve been doing the right things, but I will have to wait and play a match to see where I really am in my game,” he said.
He has winner’s points to defend from four 2013 clay titles: Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Paris. And then there is the matter of revenge after losing the Monte Carlo final to Djokovic a year ago.
“I’m now at the top of the (points) race arriving to the clay court season.  That’s positive for me, but I need to be my 100 per cent,” said the Spaniard.
“To make a difference I need to try to be aggressive, to try to move myself very well on clay, and to try to find the best feeling possible as soon as possible.”
Nadal will be trying to put behind the 2013 Monte Carlo end to an 81-match winning streak on clay in the month of April.