It may be almost a month until the French Open begins but the mind games between the world's two best players on red clay, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, have already begun, with both denying they are the favourite for the title.
Having won his first Roland Garros crown last summer and picked up three of the past four grand slam titles, Federer might be entitled to go into Paris as top dog. But the manner in which Nadal won his sixth straight Monte Carlo title nine days ago has thrust the Spaniard back to the top of the tree, at least on clay.
That all makes for a tasty sub-plot to this week's Masters 1000 event here in Rome for the two are due to meet in the semi-finals.
It would be their first clash since Federer beat Nadal to win the title in Madrid last May and would give both players an indication of where they stand.
Federer, never one to shy away from mind games, was first off the mark. "The guy's been on an absolute tear on clay for pretty much five years, he's lost just one match at the French Open and I think he's still the favourite," Federer said.
"I'd love to say that I am the favourite but I don't think that's right. He has not lost to anyone outside of potential top five or top 10 players on clay, although there are definitely guys that can play well against him."
Nadal's response was to blow out his cheeks and assert that it was far too early to talk about Paris.
"For both of us it would be very good news to be in the semi-finals in a very tough tournament like Rome," the Spaniard said.
That all makes for a tasty sub-plot to this week's Masters 1000 event here in Rome for the two are due to meet in the semi-finals.
It would be their first clash since Federer beat Nadal to win the title in Madrid last May and would give both players an indication of where they stand.
Federer, never one to shy away from mind games, was first off the mark. "The guy's been on an absolute tear on clay for pretty much five years, he's lost just one match at the French Open and I think he's still the favourite," Federer said.
"I'd love to say that I am the favourite but I don't think that's right. He has not lost to anyone outside of potential top five or top 10 players on clay, although there are definitely guys that can play well against him."
Nadal's response was to blow out his cheeks and assert that it was far too early to talk about Paris.
"For both of us it would be very good news to be in the semi-finals in a very tough tournament like Rome," the Spaniard said.
