• ATP Tour

Djokovic out to end Rafa's run at Monte Carlo

ESPN staff
April 17, 2012
Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in the 2012 Australian Open final © PA Photos
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Novak Djokovic hopes to stop Rafael Nadal from claiming an eighth-straight Monte Carlo Masters title this week as the world No. 1 steps up preparations to win the French Open crown.

Nadal holds an exceptional record on the clay surface, winning the last two tournaments at Roland Garros, but has not won an individual trophy since the 2011 event in Paris. For Djokovic, success at the Australian Open in January has given the Serb greater incentive to perform on clay as he eyes a Grand Slam in 2012.

''It feels good to be back, and to be back on clay,'' Djokovic said. ''I haven't played it since Roland Garros last year. But it's the surface that I grew up on. I had a great season in 2011 and I hope to continue in 2012.''

Djokovic believes his growing experience will see him through a challenging period in the coming weeks, with three Masters tournaments set for the lead-up to the French Open.

''We know how to play them back-to-back [Madrid and Rome next month]. It's a familiar situation,'' he said. ''I know how to recover and be ready. I've been working hard, and I'm prepared on clay. This is a surface that requires more physically, you need to be at a high level.

''Last year, I won Madrid and Rome, and beat Nadal in the finals. That has to give me confidence for the clay season.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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