Rafael Nadal returns to competition after a six-month break chasing a tenth Italian Open title in Rome against his greatest rival Novak Djo...
Rafael Nadal returns to competition after a six-month break chasing a tenth Italian Open title in Rome against his greatest rival Novak Djokovic before his bid for a 13th Roland Garros crown later this month.
The Spaniard has won on the red clay of the Foro Italico, normally played in May but which starts behind closed doors in Rome on Monday, a record nine times, including the last two editions.
World number one Djokovic, a four-time Rome winner and five-time runner-up, lost to Nadal last year in the final.
The 33-year-old is the top seed ahead of world number two Nadal, in the tuneup for the final Grand Slam of the season at the French Open which begins on September 27.
Djokovic won the French Open in 2016, with Nadal having won the last three titles since.
Nadal, 34, has not played since winning in Acapulco at the end of February, skipping the US Open over coronavirus concerns.
Djokovic tested positive for coronavirus in June after an exhibition tournament he organised, but the Serb won his 80th career title at the Cincinnati Masters last month.
He also captured his 35th ATP Masters crown, matching Nadal’s all-time record, with the pair battling to pull ahead in Rome this week.
Djokovic arrives in Rome after his bid for...
