Rafael Nadal names six players who can provide a challenge to him on clay in 2019

Nadal opened up on his competition (Picture: Getty Images) Rafael Nadal may well be the overwhelming favourite to dominate on the clay once more in 2019 but he believes there is a crop of young stars who can challenge the established guard this time around.  His own preparations for his favoured surface have been disrupted by a knee injury – he was only able to begin practising two weeks ago – but he will chase a record 12th title in Monte Carlo before eventually going on to target the same feat at Roland Garros.  Nadal’s injury woes combined with Novak Djokovic’s brilliance at Grand Slam level in recent times suggests there is at least one contender to dethrone the 32-year-old Spaniard, while Dominic Thiem – last year’s French Open finalist – impressed on the hard courts of Indian Wells and is expected to offer a serious challenge once more.  Roger Federer’s return to clay, for the first time since 2016, is also intriguing and Nadal believes he can still be a contender at the clay-court Slam he won in 2009. Federer will return to clay (Picture: TPN/Getty Images) And the world No. 2 also pointed out some of the young guns – namely Stefanos Tsitsipas, Felix Auger Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov – who he believes could make an impact. Advertisement Advertisement  ‘We can’t predict the future, so I hope to be one of them,’ he said of this year’s clay-court contenders. ‘You never know.  ‘So there is a young generation coming, and they are good, and they play well on clay, too. So let’s see about Felix, let’s see about Shapovalov, let’s see about Tsitsipas. They are good. They are good in all the surfaces, and they like to play on clay, too. And they played matches on clay already.  ‘Going to be an interesting clay court season. Of course Dominic is one of the candidates for everything, especially after winning in Indian Wells. Novak always, of course. And let’s see, for Roger, always is a candidate. Djokovic is expected to challenge (Picture: Getty Images) ‘Let’s see how he’s able to adapt his game again to the clay after a while without playing on clay. I don’t think will be a big trouble for him, because he has the talent. But let’s see. I can’t tell you now. Let’s wait a couple of weeks.’  Nadal will face compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut in his opening match on Court Prince Rainier III on Wednesday in an all-Spanish affair – a potentially tough opener on paper, particularly if he’s not fully fit.  The 17-time Grand Slam champion, as ever, was reluctant to big up his own chances on the dirt – where he has lost just two matches in the past two years – and opened up on his recent injury struggles. Advertisement Advertisement More: Tennis Felix Auger-Aliassime vows to remain true to himself as spotlight shines brighter Federer gives first glimpse of clay-court prep as Edmund suffers Monte Carlo collapse Emotional Rafa Nadal lauds 'favourite sportsman' Tiger Woods after latest Masters triumph ‘I don’t know. I understand the clay court seas

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