Returning Djokovic could be a threat, admits Nadal

London : Novak Djokovic is a potential threat to Rafael Nadal’s hopes of collecting more clay-court titles, the Spaniard has himself admitted.

Nadal claimed the 54th title of his career on his favoured red surface in Monte Carlo on Sunday when he beat Kei Nishikori to remain world No 1.

The 31-year-old now looks to retain another title as he travels to his homeland for the Barcelona Open.

But there, he has admitted the returning Djokovic - who won back-to-back games in Monaco before losing out to Dominic Thiem - could be a threat.

The Serbian has been drawn in the same quarter which could see them go head-to-head in the last eight, with Nadal likely to face Nishikori once again in the third round.

Djokovic is in Barcelona for the first time in 12 years, entering as a wildcard after the momentum and confidence gained from his wins in Monte Carlo - which snapped a three-game losing streak after coming back from an elbow injury.

But Nadal is wary that Djokovic, and Grigor Dimitrov could offer some resistance to his hopes of a clay-court clean sweep across Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros.

Asked whether it was only Dimitrov or Djokovic that could down him on his favoured clay surface, Nadal replied: “I don’t know. I don’t think that much. I just think about my opponent every day on the other part of the net.

“Of course, I know there are more dangerous rivals than others. The ones you mentioned, one won 12 Grand Slams, the other one won three. Of course, these two players can beat me. Of course, there are other ones that can beat me, too.

“But you mentioned two great players. Of course, Nishikori is another great player. Dimitrov, No. 5 of the world. I don’t know, [Alexander] Zverev No. 4. Of course, when you play against the best players of the world, you can lose. express.co.uk