Julian Finney/Getty Images

Julian Finney/Getty Images

ARTICLES:

• Nadal Optimistic Following “Most Positive Week Of The Season” (via ATP World Tour)

“For me, is a very positive week. The most positive week of the season, without any doubt,” said Nadal. “I think, if I am able to keep doing that in the next tournament in Barcelona, and I have a tough draw, I will say that I am very well again. The way that I played yesterday and for moments today is the way that I want to play. Just with more matches playing like this, I will be confident enough to play. That level will not be the exception; it will be the normal thing. That is the thing that I need to make happen. … “I am working hard since I came back. But everything is a process. I arrive in a very important moment in my season and I need to make that click that I need to be competitive again at 100 per cent. This week was the first very positive after my comeback in the beginning of the season.”

• Djokovic saca músculo ante Nadal (via El Pais)

Se marcha Nadal del Principado después de un baño de confianza, de reforzar la fe en sí mismo, después de completar buenos partidos y de doblegar a un hueso como Isner y a un titán como Ferrer, ante el que supo resolver situaciones delicadas en lo anímico. Toca ahora turno en la arcilla de Barcelona, un escenario de grato recuerdo para él. … “Los partidos contra Ferrer y Djokovic marcan el camino que debo seguir. Si sigo así voy a recuperar la confianza y este nivel de juego no será una excepción, sino lo habitual. Ese es mi objetivo. He hecho progresos enormes en juego y mente”, destacó.

• Djokovic Rises Over Nadal in Monte Carlo Semifinals (via Tennis Now)

That was due to Djokovic’s continuing dominance so far this season and with Nadal slowly trying to find his best form this year. With Nadal having clawed his way past David Ferrer in a lengthy quarterfinal, some wondered what the Spaniard would have left against the No. 1. The answer was plenty.

• Possible second round clash between Nadal and Almagro in Barcelona rematch (via Barcelona Open)

Eight-time Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell champion Rafael Nadal could open his campaign against fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who ousted the Mallorcan in the quarter-finals last year, beating the 14-time Grand Slam champion in Barcelona for the first time since his debut in 2003. Almagro plays his first round match against Paolo Lorenzi. On the road to his record ninth Barcelona crown, Nadal may face Fabio Fognini in the third round, Feliciano Lopez in the quarter-finals and David Ferrer in the semi-finals.

• The Frame Game (via tennis.com)

“Rafael Nadal is currently playing with a black racquet. He is testing a prototype developed by Babolat, closely with the champion. Of course, he still plays with a connected model. Rafa’s game evolves and his equipment evolves to support him and help him keep progressing. Babolat supports the players of its team all year long, by providing them the right equipment according to how they play and feel during the year, for the best results.”

PHOTOS:

• Rafael Nadal attends the 23rd Grand Tennis Night in Monte Carlo (Fotopress/Getty Images)

• Rafael Nadal Loses to Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo

VIDEOS:

• Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic Highlights – Monte Carlo SF (via TennisTV)
• Rafael Nadal’s Hot Shot Against Novak Djokovic (via ATP World Tour)
• Novak Djokovic’s Hot Shot Against Rafael Nadal (via ATP World Tour)