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Spanish tennis sensation Rafael Nadal is all set to mark his return on clay following his withdrawal from Miami Open 2021. The World No. 3 has been out of action since the loss in the Australian Open 2021. The 34-year-old lost to S. Tsitsipas in a 5-set thriller in the quarterfinals, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion is one of the many stars missing the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami. Tennis legend Roger Federer and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic are other big names to have withdrawn from the event. However, three-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Andy Murray was granted a wildcard entry into the Miami Open 2021.
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Nadal to play four clay court events in the run-up to title defense at French Open 2021
In the contention to lift his fifth consecutive French Open title, Nadal has made himself available for the complete clay court leg of events. With the clay tournaments starting from Monte Carlo, the 34-year-old is eyeing for his 14th title at the Roland-Garros. He has made himself available for all four events at, namely Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.
The Monte Carlo event is scheduled to be staged from April 11 to 18, followed by ATP 500 event in Barcelona from April 19 to 25. Rafa will then return to home-country Madrid for his third clay event, which is set to start from May 2 until May 9. The final tournament (Italian Open) will be hosted in Rome from May 9 until May 16, before heading into the French Open, which gets underway May 23.