PHOTOS/VIDEO: Rafael Nadal MEDIA DAY at 2017 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

"Everything was new for me in that moment," said Nadal. "It was the first big tournament that I played. I started to play Challengers at that time and won the title in Barletta before coming here. So I had a lot of confidence. I played against players that I knew very well from those Challengers". 

"I remember I played against Kucera in the first round, my first time here. And then [beating] Albert gave me great feelings. I had nothing to lose and everything to win. There was a lot of adrenaline and that was an important moment for me. After that I cracked the Top 100, which allowed me to play on the ATP World Tour for the rest of the season."

"This is an important event. It's one of my favourite events of the year without a doubt. Monte-Carlo is unique for me. I'm trying to work as much as I can to be ready for the competition and adjust my game again to clay".

"I am excited to be here. I started slow to adapt to the clay, hitting for 45 minutes, then one hour and one hour and 30 minutes for the first few days. I did what I needed to avoid the risk for injuries. With more practise, I remind myself how to win the points, how to defend and how to move. It's a process. Things are not that easy. It takes time. I decided to not play on clay in February this year so it's a little different."

"I am happy playing tennis now. When I don't have injuries and am competitive, I am happy and enjoy it more than winning titles. I am working to try to keep having these feelings in the coming months."

Photos: Getty Images; MAXPPP; Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters