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Nadal Aiming to Make Comeback from Injury at Monte Carlo

In this Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, Spain's Rafael Nadal answers questions at a press conference after retiring injured from his quarterfinal against Croatia's Marin Cilic at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
In this Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, Spain's Rafael Nadal answers questions at a press conference after retiring injured from his quarterfinal against Croatia's Marin Cilic at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
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Nadal Aiming to Make Comeback from Injury at Monte Carlo

In this Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, Spain's Rafael Nadal answers questions at a press conference after retiring injured from his quarterfinal against Croatia's Marin Cilic at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
In this Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, Spain's Rafael Nadal answers questions at a press conference after retiring injured from his quarterfinal against Croatia's Marin Cilic at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. (AP)

Rafael Nadal is aiming to make his comeback from a hip injury at the clay-court Monte Carlo Masters next month, organizers said Wednesday.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined with a left hip flexor injury since the Australian Open, and pulled out of hard-court tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami.

The Monte Carlo Masters begins on April 8 and tournament director David Massey is optimistic Nadal will play.

"Rafa was the first (player) to be registered," Massey said in statement. "He really wants to play at the Monte Carlo Masters and is giving himself every chance to take part in the tournament he's so fond of."

Nadal has won the tournament a record 11 times, including an Open Era record streak of eight consecutive titles from 2005 to 2012.

The 36-year-old Spaniard uses the event as a key part of his preparations for the French Open, which takes place May 28-June 11.

Nadal has won 14 of his major titles on clay at Roland Garros, including last year while dealing with chronic pain in his left foot.

In January, Nadal hurt his hip flexor during a second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald of the United States at the Australian Open.

An MRI exam the next day revealed the extent of the injury.

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Osaka Inspired by Agassi’s Comeback as She Embraces Clay Court Grind 

Japan's Naomi Osaka serves against Italy's Sara Errani during the 2th round of the WTA Master 1000 Internazionali d'Italia tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Wednesday May 7, 2025 (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
Japan's Naomi Osaka serves against Italy's Sara Errani during the 2th round of the WTA Master 1000 Internazionali d'Italia tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Wednesday May 7, 2025 (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
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Osaka Inspired by Agassi’s Comeback as She Embraces Clay Court Grind 

Japan's Naomi Osaka serves against Italy's Sara Errani during the 2th round of the WTA Master 1000 Internazionali d'Italia tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Wednesday May 7, 2025 (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
Japan's Naomi Osaka serves against Italy's Sara Errani during the 2th round of the WTA Master 1000 Internazionali d'Italia tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Wednesday May 7, 2025 (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Four times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka said this year's clay court swing feels different as she enters it with momentum, having picked up wins and confidence in the recent weeks.

Osaka beat Slovenia's Kaja Juvan 6-1 7-5 last week in the final of the L'Open 35 de Saint-Malo, a WTA 125 tournament, to win her first clay-court title at any level. It was also her first WTA title since becoming a mother in July 2023.

"I wanted to rack up experience on clay. I didn't really have too much of an ego playing that tournament," Osaka told reporters after defeating wild card Sara Errani 6-2 6-3 in the first round of the Italian Open on Wednesday.

"I'm okay playing on Court 16 if I have to anyways. The reason I came back wasn't to play on center courts all the time, it's because I really enjoy the game."

Osaka said her decision to drop down to play in Saint-Malo was inspired by American great Andre Agassi, who rebuilt his career in the late 1990s by competing on the ATP Challenger Tour.

"I remember reading (Agassi's) book. There was a moment where... he was saying he was flipping his own scoreboards. Someone came and yelled, 'Image is everything!' I would say that section of the book crossed my mind more," she said.

The former world number one has often struggled on clay, having never gone past the third round at the French Open, where she is set to feature in the main draw later this month. Osaka plays ninth seed Paula Badosa in the Italian Open on Thursday.

"I feel like clay is very strength-reliant," Osaka said.

"It's something that I prioritized this year and I think it's working. I'm going to keep pushing forward that way. I'll let you know what happens in Roland Garros."