'Coming back on clay is always special'

Rafael Nadal has never felt so relaxed ahead of the claycourt season, the world number one said on Monday.

Asked if he felt any pressure, the Spaniard told a news conference: "No. Maybe less than ever because I won in Australia and I won in Indian Wells (last month).

"I started this year better than ever. That gives me more calm than previous years."

Nadal, who lifted his maiden Australian Open title in January and will aim to win his fifth successive French Open when the season's second grand slam starts next month, begins his claycourt campaign at this week's Monte Carlo Masters.

He opens his bid for a fifth Monte Carlo crown with a second-round match against Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela.

"Coming back on clay is always special," said Nadal.