Rafael Nadal is the big favourite for Italian Open, but break may hurt him,’ says ...

Felix Auger-Aliassime says Rafael Nadal is the ‘big favourite’ for the Italian Open in Rome despite him not playing competitive tennis for months. Nadal opted not to defend his US Open title this year, instead remaining in Europe to prepare for the clay season. The season starts this week in Rome, but the Spaniard is still seen as the man to beat by his ATP rivals. “I think it’s great [to have Nadal back] and he’s the big favourite here,” Aliassime told the ATP. “We’ll see how he feels in...