Rafael Nadal: Novak Djokovic delivers Barcelona Open message

Djokovic and Nadal are potential quarter-final opponents on Friday if they get through their third round and last-16 matches.

Djokovic currently leads the head-to-head with Nadal 26-24 but is on the comeback trail after a difficult 12 months with injury.

The Serbian had surgery on his troublesome elbow in February and after struggling during the Indian Wells and Miami doubleheader took a break to prepare for the clay.

The 30-year-old looked in better shape at last week’s Monte Carlo Masters despite losing to Dominic Thiem in the third round.

And he took a wildcard into Barcelona to get more match practice.

Djokovic’s first match is against Martin Klizan later today but he insists he’s prepared to face Nadal for the 51st time.

“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t prepared to play against Nadal,” he told reporters.

“It is hard for us to speak about history, there was amazing players, it is hard to compare generations, they had different technology, different rackets, there are different court, different balls.

“But looking at the results, obviously Nadal is deservedly called the king of clay.

“He won so many titles in this surface and keeps on dominating and improving, he is quite amazing.”