10th Monte-Carlo win for Nadal
King of Clay reigns with his 50th clay court title in 2017
Spanish tennis star, Rafael Nadal, made his way into the history books yesterday as he beat fellow countryman, Albert Ramos-Viñolas 6-1, 6-3, in the final of the 2017 Monte-Carlo Masters, taking the tournament title for a 10th time.
Nadal is the first tennis player ever to win 10 titles at the same tournament, adding to his already glittering career and trophy cabinet. The win also marks his 50th clay court title and the 70th career trophy overall. Not bad going!
World number one, Andy Murray, and number two, Novak Djokovic, both made welcome returns from elbow injuries but admitted they haven’t reached top form yet. Murray lost to Albert Ramos Viñolas in the third round and Djokovic bowed out to David Goffin in the quarter-finals.
"When I came here for the first time (in 2003) I reached the third round after coming through the qualifiers," Nadal said. "Ten titles is something I never dreamed of. See you next year."
The only final the 30-year-old Nadal has lost at Monte Carlo was to Novak Djokovic in 2013.
Born in Manacor, a village in rural Mallorca, Nadal recently opened a tennis academy in his hometown where young promising tennis players are trained. The state-of-the-art establishment consists of a sports centre, spa, residence, restaurant and sports museum open to the public.
