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ATP Rome draw: Tough draws for Nadal and Medvedev, Djokovic v Ruud in quarters

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Nadal Medvedev Djokovic v Ruud

Andrey Rublev’s triumph in Madrid means it’s now time to move on to Rome for the next Masters 1000 event of the season – and though Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner might be missing, the rest of the draw is looking interesting.

The full draw was made on Monday morning. The seeds get a bye in the first round, leaving eyes to be drawn by a match that’s likely to be very feisty indeed – Dan Evans v Fabio Fognini, in the second quarter.

READ MORE NEWS :Tennis legend praises Novak Djokovic’s ‘remarkable achievement’ after latest world No 1 record

Novak Djokovic, back after his withdrawal in Madrid, will start with a bye before facing Roman Safiullin – who he defeated in Monte-Carlos – or a qualifier. In the third round, the world No 1 could face Alejandro Tabilo, recent winner of the Aix-en-Provence Challenger, with a possible meeting with Karen Khachanov in the fourth round.

ATP Rome draw: Tough draws for Nadal and Medvedev, Djokovic v Ruud in quarters - Tennis Majors

In the quarter-finals, he could face Casper Ruud – who ended his run in Monte-Carlo last month – before a potential clash with Alexander Zverev or Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals.

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Rafael Nadal, back in Rome after his absence last year, will start his campaign against a qualifier before taking on Hubert Hurkacz – a tough task for anyone. If he overcomes the Pole, the Spaniard could face Tomas Etcheverry or Thiago Seyboth Wild, followed by Holger Rune in the round of 16 and defending champion Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-final. Stefanos Tsitsipas or Andrey Rublev could be his opponents in the last four.

Nadal and Djokovic on opposite sides of Italian Open draw | beIN SPORTS

Daniil Medvedev may be an unlikely defending champion given his reiterated dislike of clay, but he is looking to retain his crown in Rome. He begins with a bye and then has either Jack Draper or Borna Coric in the second round. He could then face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round, and Tommy Paul in the fourth round. Hurkacz is then his most likely quarter-final opponent, with either Rublev or Tsitsipas his rival for a place in the final.

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Djokovic, Nadal honoured at Laureus World Sports Awards

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Djokovic Nadal

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were both winners at Monday night’s Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid.

Djokovic won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award for a record-equalling fifth time, adding to the awards he won in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2019. The Rafael Nadal Foundation received the Laureus Sport for Good Award during the glittering ceremony.

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The 36-year-old Serbian was recognised for his remarkable 2023 season in which he came within one set of completing a calendar-year Grand Slam. Djokovic won majors at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open, missing out only at Wimbledon, where he fell to Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set final. He ended the year by winning a record seventh Nitto ATP Finals title and by claiming Year-End No. 1 Presented By PIF for a record eighth time.

Nadal vs Djokovic: GOAT, head-to-head, stats, all you need to know about the rivalry - updated with 2022 Roland-Garros - Tennis Majors

“I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award, said Djokovic, who recently became the oldest World No. 1 in the history of the PIF ATP Rankings. “I think back to [season] 2012, when I won it for the first time as a 24-year-old. I am very proud to be here 12 years later, reflecting on a year that brought me and my fans a lot of excitement and success.”

“It was thrilling to return to Australia last January and win my 10th title. It is a tournament that is so dear to my heart and set me up for an incredible 12 months. I could not have achieved so much success without an incredible team behind me, and inspirational rivals who have always pushed me to be the best version of myself.

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“The Laureus Awards are so special because they represent recognition from the 69 world-class athletes who make up the Laureus World Sports Academy. To earn the votes of my sporting heroes is what makes these awards so coveted in all of sport.”

Nadal says Djokovic 'best player in history' - Vanguard News

The Rafael Nadal Foundation was recognised for helping more than 1,000 vulnerable young people in Spain and India, empowering them to realise their potential and believing in the transformative power of sport.

UPDATE :‘Fresh Novak Djokovic doesn’t really care when he loses in the smaller tournaments,’ says tennis legend

Former World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz was also on hand to present English footballer Jude Bellington with the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award, which the Spaniard won last year. Earlier in the evening Alcaraz ran into Djokovic on the red carpet, where the rivals shared a laugh over each other’s tuxedos.

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Novak Djokovic confirms Nadal’s withdrawal from Indian Wells signals the end of an era

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Novak Djokovic Nadal

On February 22, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic met on the flight from Madrid to Indian Wells. The two players were on their way prepare for the first Masters 1000 of the year that was due to take place in early March.

Djokovic will debut this Saturday against Aleksander Vukic, however Nadal was left out of the tournament after injury forced him to withdraw just a few hours before his opening match against Milos Raonic.

The Serbian was asked about the disappointment of Nadal withdrawing from the tournament, although in response he was rather more circumspect than most anticipated.

READ MORE ;Carlos Alcaraz to MARCA: I cried after losing to Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals in Turin

“It’s unfortunate for the tournament that Rafa had to sit out,” Djokovic declared.

“He has done his best to be fit. Federer has retired and both Nadal and I won’t be playing much more. It is the end of an era.

Nadal vs Djokovic: GOAT, head-to-head, stats, all you need to know about the rivalry - updated with 2022 Roland-Garros - Tennis Majors

“We must remember the good moments, matches and all the records achieved.

The current world number one was speaking with a degree of authority on the previous era of tennis, given the fact that on Monday March 18 he will double the number of weeks Nadal spent at the top of the ATP ranking: 418 to 209.

Nadal and Djokovic will be remembered as one of the greatest rivalries

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To find the last time that the two most decorated players in history, in terms of titles, competed in the same tournament, you have to go back to the 2023 edition of the Australian Open.

With 24 and 22 majors, respectively, ‘Nole’ and Rafa have starred in one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history with 59 tournament wins between them.

French Open treat: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic renew rivalry - Los Angeles Times

Djokovic pulled just ahead of Nadal recently, moving to 30 titles compared to Nadal’s 29, meanwhile their last encounter against each other in tournament play was as far back as the 2022 Roland Garros quarter-final.

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