Nadal ready to attack in Monte Carlo

MONTE CARLO: Rafael Nadal says he will have to play at an aggressive level if he is to win a ninth Monte Carlo Masters title.

The world No.1 was beaten by Novak Djokovic last season as his eight-year winning streak in the principality came to an end in the final.

Defeated in straight sets, Nadal believes he will have to hit the ground running if he is to challenge the in-form Djokovic for the trophy come the end of the week.

"To make a difference I need to try to be aggressive, to try to move myself very well on clay, and to try to find the best feeling possible as soon as possible," Nadal said.

Djokovic has won the last four Masters 1000 events, as well as the ATP World Tour Finals, but Nadal is confident of being the main man as his favourite part of the campaign comes into full swing.

"I'm now at the top of the points race arriving to the clay court season," the Spaniard said. "That's positive for me but I need to be 100%."

Nadal, a winner of eight French Opens and 43 titles on clay, will begin his quest for another Monte Carlo victory against either Gilles Simon or a qualifier.