World tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz voiced their sentiments regarding the absence of clay-court maestro Rafael Nadal as the Monte Carlo Masters tournament kicks off on Sunday.

Nadal, renowned as the “clay king,” was compelled to withdraw from the prestigious event, marking a departure from the traditional commencement of the European clay season due to ongoing injury concerns.

The 37-year-old Spaniard holds an illustrious record at the Monte Carlo Masters, claiming a staggering 11 titles and boasting a remarkable 73-6 win-loss record including a 46-match winning streak from 2005 to 2013. He has competed in the main draw 17 times.

His absence leaves a void in the tournament, with players acknowledging his unparalleled impact on the sport.

Reflecting on Nadal’s absence, two-time Monte Carlo champion and current world number one, Novak Djokovic, lamented the absence of his esteemed rival, emphasizing Nadal’s enduring influence on tennis.

“It has always been important for our sport to have him on the court,” two-time Monte Carlo winner and world number one Djokovic said on Saturday.

“This year could have been his last chance, his last Roland Garros, his last season.

“It’s been bad to see him have to forfeit all the tournaments (save Brisbane in the first week of January) from the start of the year.”

Similarly, rising Spanish talent Carlos Alcaraz, currently ranked third, expressed his disappointment at not having the opportunity to compete against his longtime idol.

Alcaraz, who holds Nadal in high regard, underscored the impact of Nadal’s absence on the tournament and admitted to the regret of not experiencing face-offs with the clay-court legend in previous tournaments.

“If he’s not here it doesn’t change a lot for me,” Alcaraz said. “I’m not used to seeing him around much.

“We have not played (in the same) tournaments (at the same time). I’ve only played a few where he is around.

“As a fan of tennis, it’s a shame that he is not here playing in this event.”

Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains optimistic about the future, expressing his aspirations to potentially partner with Nadal at the Paris Olympics, demonstrating his admiration and respect for the esteemed tennis icon.

“I still hope to play with him, the Olympics are four months from now and everything can change.

“Nadal would be great for me.”