Rafael Nadal reacts to Roger Federer's clay court return with four-word message

Nadal has enjoyed a clear dominance over Federer on clay and if both make it through their respective Madrid Open draws, they could meet in the final on Sunday.

Federer will get his campaign underway this evening against Richard Gasquet, the 20th meeting between the two players.

The Swiss star has insisted he doesn’t have major expectations over his chances on clay but is keen to make his mark again, 10 years after winning a maiden French Open title.

In his pre-tournament press conference, Nadal was asked if he was ‘surprised or happy’ to see his great rival back on the red dirt.

And the Spaniard gave a short response but hailed Federer’s return as positive.

Nadal told reporters: “It is his decision.

“It is not about how I feel. It is about how the fans and the tournament feel.

“Of course it is very positive news.”

Federer has been training for the clay season in Switzerland and invited British ace Daniel Evans to work with him and the 37-year-old says he hasn’t found adjusting to clay too tricky.

He said: “Look, it takes some time getting used to how to construct the points maybe a little bit more.

“Because there is more baseline, there is a possibility to play with more angles and height, I guess, off a hard ball you can roll it and spin it and go loopy, whereas on a faster court you almost have to hit against it.

“It is hard to take pace off the ball.

“So, from that standpoint, it’s been interesting and fun. But not so challenging, to be honest.

“But then again, matches might be a completely different story because in the practice you can — it is always okay to take chances and not get rewarded, you walk away from any and you’re like, who cares?

“In the match, every point matters, so it will be interesting to see how as the tournament goes. I have not high expectations in some ways, but at the same time I also know that things are possible.

“I mean Madrid always plays fast with the altitude here, so intrigued to find out myself. But it’s been good so far.”

source: express.co.uk