Intro:

Two of tennis's giants, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, hope to conjure up a repeat of last year's classic final at the ATP 2014 Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.

Script:

Novak Djokovic has a different approach to the clay-court season this year.

Roland Garros remains a target for the Serb, as the only major championship to elude his trophy cabinet - but he is determined to focus on the importance of the three upcoming ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tournaments, and not get caught up in the quest to complete a career Grand Slam.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Novak Djokovic:

"One thing is for sure, I enjoy and I love playing here in Monte Carlo, it's the place where I spend most of my time in the last six years when I'm not playing tournaments. I have lots of friends who come and support, the family members and home is just a few minutes away. So, that's the beauty of it. It's the first time I find myself in a position as a title holder, last year I won in a great match against Nadal who won it eight years in a row, so I always look forward playing in Monte Carlo. It's a beautiful setting, one of the nicest clubs in the world as you can see from the view and I look forward to competing."

Meanwhile Rafael Nadal has made himself at home at his stops during this eight-week stretch, which includes three ATP World Tour Masters 1000s and the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell before culminating at Roland Garros.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Rafael Nadal:

"I am ready to try and play well in the first round. Always this tournament starts from the first round, not from the final. The draw closed with 55 of the rankings, so every match is dangerous, very match is really difficult to win. I'm going to fight to be ready for the action."

Nadal is nearing a couple of clay-court milestones, currently two match wins shy of 300 and three titles off Guillermo Vilas's Open Era record of 46.