Rafael Nadal keeps breaking records–both his own and those held by others.
Already the all-time leader in titles at a single tournament (10 in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, and at the French Open), Nadal won the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters for the 11th time in his career on Sunday afternoon. The world No. 1 capped off his perfect run through the principality with another straight-set beatdown, this time 6-3, 6-2 over Kei Nishikori in one hour and 33 minutes.
Nadal also became the all-time leader in Masters 1000 titles with 31. Novak Djokovic is second with 30, followed by Roger Federer’s 27.
“Of course it is a special day for me,” the Spaniard assured. “Winning again this title here in Monte-Carlo means a lot, especially because it is the first tournament in the year that I finished (without having to retire or withdraw). To have the victory in a Masters 1000, especially in Monte-Carlo, that for me is one of the most important ones in terms of personal feeling and in terms of history of our sport. I am very excited and very happy for everything.
“It is very special. Eleven titles here–it’s unbelievable; so it’s something difficult to imagine. I always say the same: If I did it, somebody else can do it. But it is very difficult. I really don’t know how these things can happen because it is lot of years without making mistakes and without being unlucky in this week. I have been unlucky other weeks, but not [in Monte-Carlo.
“The history with this tournament is unique. To put another trophy in my museum, in my academy, is going to be something great. Eleven is a lot, especially here in Monte-Carlo.”
Highlights:
Nishikori was bidding for his first Masters 1000 title in his fourth such final and the world No. 36 got off to a surprisingly strong start, breaking Nadal for a 2-1 lead in the opening set. But success was short-lived, as Nishikori double-faulted on break in the following game and never regained momentum. After coasting the rest of the way in set one, Nadal reeled off five games in a row starting at 0-1 in the second.
“I knew it’s going to be tough to maintain my level because he gives me all the balls back,” said Nishikori, who played four three-setters earlier in the tournament. “It’s not easy to dominate the point with Rafa all the time. I knew it’s going to be tough even though I was up a break.
“I was kind of out of gas, especially in the second set. How he plays…. He makes every shot. He makes it tough. I think he was also playing great tennis. It was not easy to maintain my level until the end today.”
Nadal, Nishikori, Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Dominic Thiem, David Goffin, and many more will now make their way from Monte-Carlo to Barcelona.
“Next week is another week that I have a tough draw in Barcelona,” Nadal noted. “Today is a day to enjoy this because winning a tournament like this one not happening every day. But tomorrow I need to start being focused on the next week. Is not the moment to stop and to disconnect your mind. Is the moment to stay focused and to keep holding that momentum.”
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congrats, Rafa
GOAT!
So happy our champion keeps smashing is own records!
GOD OF CLAY 👑🎾
IYNSHO
(To Hawk) .
But yeah, what a brilliant clay courter.
I agree with you Big Al on both counts!
I think Rafa will get a big boost out of his record breaking 11th win at MC. As he continues to rewrite the record books, I remind myself that we may never see anyone like him again.
Vamos Rafa! Keep on keeping on!
😍💪👑🏆
We will, definitely.
Yeah NNY, we may never see someone like Rafa again; he’s special.
Lucky,
Yes we are very fortunate!
😀
Rafa always says “If I can do it, someone else can too.” Maybe. But no time soon! What Rafa has done is a combination of inborn talent and desire, willingness to work hard for what he wants, great family, great coaching.
Ramara,
It took thirty years for someone to equal Borg’s record of six titles at RG. That is why I think it is going to be an even longer time to equal Rafa’s records. But I also think that some of them may never be equaled.
The great Rod Laver has records that have stood the rest of time. I think Rafa is being his usual modest and humble self in saying that if he can do it, someone else can.
I don’t think in my lifetime I will ever see anyone like Rafa again. That’s why I try to stay in the moment and just enjoy it! I have been very lucky to see Borg and now Rafa. My two great tennis loves!
😍
I meant to say that Rod Laver has records that have stood the TEST of time! *
NNY
I count myself blessed to have been around since the early days of Rafa’s career and agree it is unlikely we’ll see the likes of him again in our lifetime. It’s good to know he is adapting his game with a view to prolonging his career for as long as possible. We have Moya and the rest of his team to thank for that.
ed,
😀
Alhamdulillah!..Yesss!…Hopefully the clay fiesta will not be interrupted by injury anytime soon…Please!please!Please God!Amin!
Vamos Rafa!!Wooohoo!!
Rafa playing better than MC2017 imo; may be comparable to his MC2010 and that’s amazing because he’s now 8 years older. He’s more aggressive now, winning many of the shorter points whilst in 2010, he’s well balanced in defence/offence and playing more longer points typical of clay court tennis.
I like the BH these days, reminds me of his BH of 2008/2009 when it’s at his peak; no longer need to run around the BH so often to hit his FH.
Indeed,it was vwry good to see Rafa coming out with guns blazing,instead staying defensive and grinding his body a lot more. It’s great to see him changing his approach as he ages!
Very interesting points made above regarding the adjustments made by Rafa. It explains why the unforced error count has risen expotentially – I had assumed it was because Rafa was still a bit rusty. It bodes well for the rest of the clay season.
I think Lucky makes some great observations about Rafa’s game. He is hitting his backhand extremely well and that is a very good sign. I watched a replay of the final and was struck by Rafa’s aggressive play. He really is looking to shorten points where possible and move into the court to use his great volleying skills at net.
I think Moya deserves a great deal of credit for making some changes. Improving Rafa’s second serve is something I have wanted to see for some time. It takes a lot of pressure off him when he is serving. I remember seeing second serve stats in the match with Dimi. It was late in the second set and Rafa was winning 68% of second serve points, while Dimi was only winning 29% of second serve points.
Moya has also cut back on the long practice sessions. He seems to have a different approach to Rafa’s training. I always thought a fresh pair of eyes and newcpoontvif view could be a great help to Rafa. We have seen Fed make changes as he has gotten older. It’s great to see Rafa and his team also making some adjustments do that he can take care of his body and also fine tune his game to stay competitive.
Sorry for the garbled words in my previous post. I meant to say – a new point of view – could be a great help to Rafa! *
Love your phone’s creativity. 🙂
What makes me feel happy about Rafa’s game now,other than his aggressive game with shorter points, is his improved BH. I think I said it in the past, that if Rafa wants to beat Djoko, he needs his BH working well, both CC and DTL.
When Rafa was losing to Djoko on clay in 2011, he (Rafa) didn’t have a BH! He was relying solely on his FH, mostly CC and run around FH at his BH wing. At IW slow HC that year, Rafa could win a set but then, when his BH was under attack by Djoko, it started breaking down.
Djoko, and now Kei, are good at both wings and could go CC and DTL on both wings so it’s tough to defend against them. Rafa having a solid BH in addition to his awesome FH, and capable of going CC and DTL, will certainly help him a big deal when facing those two guys. He playing a more aggressive game these days certainly helps, as we know an aggressive Rafa is very hard to beat.
I guess Moya is very smart when he want Rafa to improve his second serve. He/We know Rafa feels rushed by the 25 second rule, so he tends to fault his first serve; having a solid second serve would at least calm Rafa a little bit. We saw how good his second serve was when he won the highest % of second serve among all active players last season! Compare that to his past two seasons of 2015/2016, opponents were able to attack his second serves so often in those two years; in 2017 they struggled to win points against Rafa’s second serves.
In this year’s MC, Rafa wasn’t serving well his first serves, but he/we need not worry, for he was able to win his service games and was hardly broken, all thanks to his solid second serve. I’m very pleased with the way Rafa plays after coming back from injury, his DC matches gave me hope and his MC title confirmed that I was/am right feeling positive.
And to think that it is only another goat who has denied him from winning more on this surface. What a sportsman!😳
Well, it can be said that Rafa also denied the other ‘goats’ from winning more on the other surfaces, not difficult to see that considering his H2H vs them on the non clay slams.
Amazing legend at Montecarlo and who’s to say he can’t win it next year?. Only if he has an off day, injured, or just decides that enough is enough 🙂
We mustn’t lose sight of the fact it was Uncle Toni who should be credited with turning Rafa into the champion he became. But as time went on it also became evident that another pair of hands and some fresh input was called for. To me Carlos Moya (who had mentored him as a young teenager) was the obvious candidate for the job. So far it appears to be a fruitful partnership.
PS: Does anybody else agree Moya in his dark shades looks uncannily like Bono?
Rafa is playing great. Field is weak as well. I think this is the weakest field I have seen on clay for a decade with Theim also little off color.
But I dont believe in weak era stuff, you still have to turn up , day in day out and to win so comprehensively just like what Rafa has done in MC this week is extraordinary.
I hope Rafa rests propery before RG, he should play one tourney less .
Just back from a vacation for 5 days without internet. I highly recommend it. Fortunately, I was still able to catch the MC final at the local pub.
Simply incredible tennis from Rafa, and I thought that the few moments when Nishikori had some breathing room (when he briefly had a 1-0 lead in the 2nd set), Nadal just closed the door with some incredible shot-making. He truly looked unbeatable to me. I have to say, the tennis looked very Federer-like at times in terms of taking the ball early. A very different brand of clay court tennis than Rafa was playing 10 years ago, and much better, imo. Congrats.
Ho, ho, ho!
So Nishikori has pulled out of Barcelona. Ricky predicted this would happen.
I gave him congrats as well.Good to see the Fedfans can be objective!