Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov are about to start their campaign in Monte Carlo. The King of Clay is the obvious favorite to win the competition in the Principality. Rafa has already conquered Monte Carlo’s title 11 times and he is seeded no.3 this year. Rafa will face either Adrian Mannarino or a qualifier in his first match in the second round.
Grigor Dimitrov’s best result was reaching the semi-final in 2018. Grigor was stopped by a Rafa in Monte Carlo on three occasions: 2013, 2018, and 2019. Dimotrov will clash against Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round in Monte Carlo. Dimitrov and Nadal are projected to clash in the third round.
Here the video of Rafa and Grigor training in Monte Carlo.
Rafael Nadal in 2021
Now ranked no.3, Rafael played his last match on the 17th of February when he lost to world no.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4 7-5
in the quarter of the Australian Open (draw).At the moment, during this season Nadal has an overall 4-1 win-loss record.
Grigor Dimitrov in 2021
Ranked world no.17, Grigor played his last match on the 26th of March when he surrendered to world no.51 Cameron Norrie 7-5 7-5 in the 2nd round in Miami (draw).
During this season Grigor has achieved a 8-4 record.
Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov played each other 14 times. The head to head is 13-1 for Nadal. Previously, the last time when they played, Rafael Nadal won 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in Acapulco (Abierto Mexicano Telcel) in February 2020.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.