Tennis Today: Wimbledon looking to expand and a game of where is Rafael Nadal

In Tennis Today, Wimbledon could be set for its biggest-ever expansion and good luck finding Rafael Nadal in the crowd.

What’s on the site
Rafael Nadal officially kicks off the defence of his Monte Carlo Masters title today and what better way to celebrate than by remembering when the pirate-pants, headband-wearing Spaniard came of age on clay in 2005.

FYI, this is not the bit about ‘where is Nadal’.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga turned 33 yesterday and here is a little video tribute to the Frenchman.

And here is another video, but this is not something that American Jared Donaldson will want to be remembered for.

The big guns didn’t have it all their own way in their opening matches at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Report one
Report two

What’s in the news
Another brilliant exclusive interview by Charlie Eccleshare for Telegraph Sport. This time he talks with Rebecca Marino about how she battled back from depression to make a successful comeback.

“It was probably the worst I’ve ever felt in my entire life,” Marino said. “It was a really dark place.”

Give the full story a read on the Telegraph.

There is also a look at the Independent Review Panel’s latest report into corruption in tennis by Simon Briggs, but this one is paid content on Telegraph Sport.

Onto another exclusive, this time by Sportsmail with Matt Dickson reporting that “Wimbledon could TREBLE in size: Home of tennis is in £50m bid to gobble up the 73-acre golf course across the road”.

According to Dickson, they have a made renewed offer just shy of £50m to buy out the lease of the Wimbledon Park Golf Club, but members will have to vote. In case you were wondering, the members include Piers Morgan and television duo Ant and Dec.

Not the start to the clay-court season that Thanasi Kokkinakis had in mind as he is now in crutches after his fall at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports he is “in a race against time” to be fit for the French Open.

In case you missed it, this is how he got injured.

“Rafael Nadal: Why Spanish star loves playing on clay – Justin Gimelstob” is the headline in Express Sport.

You are probably thinking that he likes playing on clay because he is good at it.

The Tennis Channel analyst says it’s because he is “able to play the way he wants to play” and “he loves the fact that he is such an alpha during this period of the year”.

What’s on social media
Here you go, find Nadal in the crowd.

Benoit Paire getting a little help.

Richard Gasquet with a ripper.

A bop it skills challenge featuring Stevie Johnson, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Taylor Fritz.

What’s on TV
ATP Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters
The first clay Masters tournament of the year is underway in Monte Carlo.

10:00-18:00 / 10:00-15:00
LIVE – Sky Sports Arena / Sky Sports Main Event

WTA
It’s Fed Cup week and the action will only kick off on Friday.

Grand Slams Rafael Nadal Tennis Today Wimbledon

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