Top Storylines to Watch at the 2015 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters
Months of thrilling hard-court tennis are in the books. Now the focus shifts to clay as the road to Roland Garros begins.
With just over a month left until the second Grand Slam of the year, the next few weeks are crucial for the top players in the world to adjust their games to the dirt. Tactics will change, and fitness will be pushed to the brink. And it all starts in Monte Carlo.
Located at one of the most picturesque settings in the world, the tournament is especially beautiful and prestigious. For its 109th edition, plenty will be on the line.
But which man will walk away with the title? Will there be another unexpected winner like last year, or will Rafael Nadal capture yet another crown? Can Novak Djokovic continue his unprecedented dominance and hold off players who are looking for their first trophy at the event?
Here is a deeper look at some of the top storylines to monitor in Monte Carlo. The following slides will focus solely on players inside the top 10 and their mission to lift a precious piece of hardware.
Milos Raonic Looks for First Masters Series Title
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Milos Raonic is breathing down the necks of the Big Four. Yet he still lacks titles on the biggest stages in tennis.
Not only has he failed to win a Grand Slam, but he hasn't even won a Masters Series event. While Raonic's Indian Wells win over Rafael Nadal proved he can beat the elite players on any given day, he won't be considered a true peer until he starts winning tournaments like Monte Carlo.
Raonic is noted for his overwhelming serve and forehand, and he's quietly putting together a full arsenal of weapons. He's no slouch on clay, either. Last season, the Canadian reached the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo, which he parlayed into a semifinals berth in Rome and a quarterfinal run at the French Open.
Some might not consider Raonic a natural for the surface, but he's shown an ability to win on clay, thanks to his improved foot speed and fitness. And that serve is always an ace in the hole. How his backhand performs will be the key. Should that wing hold up, fear the sleeve.
David Ferrer Aims to Continue Resurgence
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Which man has the second-best record after Novak Djokovic to start the 2015 season? If you guessed Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray, try again.
It's David Ferrer.
The 33-year-old Spaniard has looked rejuvenated on the court, soaring to a 22-3 record with titles in Doha, Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco. Despite losing in the fourth round of the Australian Open and the third round at Indian Wells, Ferrer is playing some of his most confident tennis in a while.
And now he gets to play on his favorite surface.
After Nadal and Djokovic, Ferrer might be the most consistent clay-court player over the last few years. The world No. 7 has reached at least the quarterfinals in his last three appearances at the French Open, including the final in 2013—a run of form that has carried over to tournaments like Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome.
At clay-court events, Ferrer is comfortable and can almost be penciled into the quarterfinals. He's a baseline grinder with tireless passion and competitiveness—qualities the dirty only enhance.
Though he's never won Monte Carlo, Ferrer has reached the semifinals three times, with his runner-up finish in 2011 the closest he's come to winning the event. Last year, he even took out Nadal before eventually succumbing to Stan Wawrinka.
Put his clay-court resume and recent results together, and it's easy to see Ferrer going deep here again.
Stan Wawrinka's Title Defense
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Did anyone expect Stan Wawrinka to win Monte Carlo last year?
Probably not, but the 2014 Australian Open champion caught fire on the clay, using lethal forehands and breathtaking backhands to lift his first Masters Series title. He couldn't be stopped, muscling past accomplished players like Marin Cilic, Milos Raonic, David Ferrer and ultimately Roger Federer on his way to victory.
Replicating that feat won't be easy.
Wawrinka started this season off strong, reaching the Australian Open semifinals where he lost to Novak Djokovic in another epic five-set match. He even added titles at Chennai and Rotterdam, pushing his record to 14-2. But since February, he's been in a slump.
The Swiss is just 2-3 since Rotterdam. He lost in the quarterfinals of Marseille to Sergiy Stakhovsky and followed up with an opening-match defeat to Robin Haase at Indian Wells. Miami served no relief either, and Wawrinka exited that tournament in the third round to Adrian Mannarino.
Over the last two months, he's beaten just one player (Carlos Berlocq in Miami) ranked within the top 100. Each of Wawrinka's losses came to players outside the top 30. It's a troubling trend for the world No. 9, and to halt his slide in the rankings, he'll need to find some magic again in Monte Carlo.
Based on his current form, another trip to the final doesn't appear likely for Wawrinka.
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Roger Federer's Quest for an Elusive Crown
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Roger Federer has accomplished almost everything imaginable on the court in his legendary career. But perhaps the biggest remaining hole on his near-pristine resume? A title at Monte Carlo.
It's one of just two Masters Series events (along with Rome) the Swiss hasn't won. He's come close, reaching the final four times (2006-2008, 2014). In each of those first three tries, Federer came up short against the constant thorn in his side, Rafael Nadal.
Last year, Federer moved past Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and had his best chance yet at the title. But his compatriot, Stan Wawrinka, outlasted Federer in a tense three-set final.
For this year to be any different, Federer will have to navigate through a loaded draw. His problem on clay in recent years has been an inability to consistently hang with power from the baseline. He'll have to be patient and consistent with his groundstrokes to have a chance. The serve and net game will only carry him so far on this surface.
But Federer will enter Monte Carlo well-rested after skipping the Miami Open. With a head start on his clay preparation, he'll be ready to give it one more shot at that elusive trophy.
Rafael Nadal Seeks Ninth Title
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Monte Carlo might as well be a second home for Rafael Nadal.
The Spaniard won an unprecedented eight straight titles in the city from 2005 to 2012. He held dominion over the tournament with an iron grip during that time, being pushed just once (2009) to a decisive set in the championship match. That sterling run finally ended in 2013 when Novak Djokovic unseated him for the crown.
More surprising than the loss to Djokovic was his relatively early exit last year. In the quarterfinals, David Ferrer shocked Nadal in straight sets.
So will the Spaniard lift the trophy again after a three-year wait?
Based on his play in 2015, Nadal won't be able to coast to the title like he once did. After numerous injuries last year, he's stumbled out of the gates this season with just a 15-5 record. Nadal is not only struggling to find consistency with his game, but he's also questioning his own self-confidence.
What better way for the King of Clay to get back on track than on his favorite surface? Despite not beating a fellow top-10 player since the 2014 French Open final, Nadal has to be considered a favorite every time he plays on the dirt. Look for him to start building momentum again in Monte Carlo.
Novak Djokovic Goes for Fourth Straight Masters Series Win
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When it comes to winning the biggest titles in tennis, no one does it better than Novak Djokovic.
Since last October, the Serbian has won each of the last three Masters Series events (Paris, Indian Wells and Miami) to go along with his victories at the World Tour Finals and the Australian Open. It doesn't get any hotter than that.
But all those wins came on hard courts. How will he fare on the red clay in Monte Carlo? If recent history is any suggestion, quite well.
Djokovic has made the semifinals or better in his last six appearances at the tournament. In 2013, he successfully dethroned eight-time champion Rafael Nadal for his first title at the event. That triumph only further established his prowess on the dirt.
Last year, however, an injured Djokovic fell to Roger Federer in the semifinals. He's healthy now and eager to vanquish that memory as he prepares for another run at a maiden French Open crown next month. But that clay voyage starts here.
With his exceptional defense, fitness and mental fortitude, Djokovic has the tools to return to the final. The biggest hurdle he'll likely face in Monte Carlo will be his greatest rival, Nadal. Should they meet, Djokovic will face a stiff test. Expect him to rise to the challenge.
All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com unless otherwise noted.
Joe Kennard is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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