Rafael Nadal: 'Playing in 2003 Monte Carlo was a dream'
In an interview to Sky Sport, Rafael Nadal recalled his Monte Carlo Masters debut back in 2003. The Spaniard was just 16 years old at the time. "Two weeks before I had played in Cagliari and Barletta and I came here being very excited because playing in Monte Carlo was a dream.
I played the qualies, I won two matches, then I defeated Albert Costa and I lost to Guillermo Coria in tight sets. That was an unforgettable tournament for me. I think in tennis you need to be focused, have the passion and right attitude" said Nadal. The Italian rising star Matteo Berrettini hopes to face Nadal one day in an official match. On the Italian tennis, Berrettini added: "One of the reasons may be that we younger players like me and Lorenzo Sonego grew up looking at the great champions like Filippo Volandri, Fabio Fognini playing Davis Cup. We got inspired by them and we try to give our best. Also last year Marco Cecchinato had a great season and we became aware that we have the level to be competitive." On having 20 Italian players on the top 200, Berrettini added: "It's ridiculous especially when Grand Slams come around. There are so many! I know all of them so well, Lorenzo is one of my closest friends and we often play doubles together. We are like a team in a single sport that enjoys themselves together."
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2XxzS1Q
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