Monte-Carlo Masters 2022: 3 tournament records held by Rafael Nadal
The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, which is part of the ATP 1000 series, begins this weekend at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France without its most notable champion, Rafael Nadal.
While the tournament is one of the most keenly awaited sporting events of the mid-April season, the upcoming edition is already being talked about for a variety of reasons.
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Novak Djokovic will return to action for the first time since losing in the quarterfinals of Dubai, while his old rival Rafael Nadal has been forced out due to injury.
Fans, critics, and tennis observers would all possibly concur that a Monte-Carlo Open without Rafael Nadal would not quite be the same considering the staggering number of records that the Spaniard has broken at the venue over the years.
Fabrice Santoro of France currently holds the record jointly with Nadal for the highest number of tournamant appearances in Monte-Carlo (17).
Santoro's record would have been broken by Nadal had he been taking part in the 2022 edition, but that is one rare feat which will elude the man who has been at his absolute best at the picturesque Monte-Carlo Country Club.
On that note, here's a look at some significant records broken by Rafael Nadal in Monte-Carlo.
#1 Eight consecutive titles (2005-2012)
18-year-old Rafael Nadal got past defending champion Guillermo Coria in the final of the 2005 edition.
It was to be a stepping stone for the Spaniard who then went on a win-spree on clay that lasted an incredible 81 weeks.
Nadal beat Roger Federer in three consecutive finals (2006, 2007, and 2008) in Monte Carlo en route to eight titles in a row up until 2012.
Novak Djokovic finally stemmed his arch rival's free flow of wins with a memorable straight-sets victory in 2013 - but not before history was created.
Nadal also holds the record for the highest number of consecutive finals (nine) from 2005 to 2013.
#2 Highest number of titles - 11 in total
Nadal failed to make it to the finals in 2014 and 2015 after being beaten by David Ferrer and Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively before storming back to make his mark once more.
Three successive championship wins in 2016, 2017, and 2018 ensured that the Spaniard's name would become synonymous with that of the tournament.
of Clay.
👑 of Clay.
The moment @RafaelNadal won his 11th Monte-Carlo title...
He defeats Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-2.
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Slices of history were created each time the left-handed tennis legend graced the competition that he won a record 11 times.
#3 Most matches played and most matches won
Unsurprisingly, Rafael Nadal also holds the record for total matches played and won at Monte-Carlo.
Sixteen appearances without a break between 2005 and 2021 (the tournament was canceled in 2020) have resulted in Nadal winning 73 out of a total of 79 matches played in an event he has dominated like no one has thus far.
Sadly, the 2022 edition will not feature the tournament's most successful player, who may yet return for either a final hurrah or to create more history with, hopefully, an 18th appearance sometime in the future.