MONACO: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal begin their clay court seasons in Monte Carlo this week.
The tournament is a dress rehearsal for another title showdown at Roland Garros in June.
Djokovic and Nadal haven’t played since the delayed Australian Open in February where the world number one Serb claimed his ninth Melbourne title and 18th career major.
He has also since surpassed Roger Federer’s record for weeks at number one and will start a 316th week on top of the world from Monday.
Djokovic is a two-time champion in Monte Carlo but has not got beyond the quarter-finals since his most recent title in 2015.
Nadal, who won a 13th Roland Garros title and record-equalling 20th Grand Slam by beating Djokovic in the Paris final in October, is chasing a 12th triumph in Monte Carlo.
There are concerns over the lingering back problem Nadal is carrying ahead of a gruelling clay court season which peaks at the French Open from May 30.
