Rafael Nadal captured his ninth Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters crown on Sunday as he defeated Gael Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 in an enthralling final on Court Ranier III.
With H.S.H. Prince Albert II and his wife, Princess Charlene of Monaco, watching on, Nadal claimed a record-equaling 28th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown and his first for almost two years.
The 29-year-old Nadal reclaimed the title that he won at the Monte-Carlo Country Club from 2005-2012. His 46-match winning streak in Monte-Carlo was finally ended in the 2013 final by Novak Djokovic.
“The victory here confirms that I am better and I am very happy… It’s been a very, very emotional week for me, a very important event,” Nadal said. “Monte-Carlo is one of the most important places in my career without any doubt. To win again here after three years is so special for me.”
Victory marked Nadal’s first ATP World Tour title since lifting the trophy in Hamburg in August 2015 defeating Fognini. In a battle full of twists and turns, Nadal ultimately prevailed over Monfils in two hours and 46 minutes. Monfils has made his most consistent start yet to a season, and caused Nadal no end of trouble with his incredible defense and point-clinching shot-making.
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Title Leaders
Rafael Nadal 28
Novak Djokovic 28
Roger Federer 24
Andre Agassi 17
But the Frenchman’s legs ultimately ran out in the decider as Nadal’s continued pounding from the baseline eventually took its toll. The Spaniard fell to his knees as he celebrated a longed-for victory after a trying 18 months on the ATP World Tour.
“When the other player is the best, you have to recognize it,” Monfils said of Nadal in the third set. “He was a lot better. He was relaxed, hitting hard. I felt he was really in control.”
Appearing in his 100th tour-level final, Nadal clinched his 68th title. The left-hander is the sixth player in the Open Era to reach a century of finals on the ATP World Tour. After laying his hands on his 48th clay-court crown, Nadal is now just one trophy away from drawing level with Open Era clay title leader Guillermo Vilas.
“Winning nine times here is something unbelievable for me,” Nadal said. “I need to keep going.”
The 29-year-old Monfils was bidding to win his first Masters 1000 crown after runner-up finishes in Paris in 2009 (l. to Djokovic) and 2010 (l. to Soderling). The Parisian has compiled a 20-6 match record in 2016, also reaching the final in Rotterdam (l. to Klizan) and the quarter-finals at the Australian Open (l. to Raonic), as well as in Indian Wells (l. to Raonic) and Miami (l. to Djokovic).
He dropped to a 5-19 finals record, with nine of those defeats coming against Top 10 players.
