Rafael Nadal dominated the Monte-Carlo Masters more than any other tournament in his illustrious career.
The King of Clay ended his career having won the Monte-Carlo Masters 11 times, more times than any player had won another ATP event.
Nadal’s run on clay was legendary and he didn’t lose at the Monte-Carlo Masters between 2005 and 2012.
Despite his dominance at the Masters event, there was one player who was able to win the tournament at a younger age.
Mats Wilander is still the youngest Monte-Carlo champion ever
Mats Wilander’s first victory at the Monte-Carlo Masters saw him become the youngest player to win the event.
It’s a record that still stands to this day and only Nadal came close to breaking the Swede’s impressive achievement.
Would Rafael Nadal be the undisputed GOAT if not for injuries?
Nadal’s first victory at the Monte-Carlo Masters came in 2005, when the King of Clay was 18 years and 312 days old.
Wilander’s maiden victory saw him lift the trophy when he was 95 days younger than the legendary Spaniard.
Youngest Monte-Carlo champions
- Mats Wilander (1983): 18 years, 217 days.
- Rafael Nadal (2005): 18 years, 312 days.
- Andrei Medvedev (1994): 19 years, 230 days.
- Alberto Mancini (1989): 19 years, 339 days.
In the intervening years, no 18-year-old has lifted the trophy outside of Nadal and Wilander in 1983 and 2005.
Two other teenagers have lifted the trophy, however, with Andrei Medvedev and Alberto Mancini winning the title at 19.
Wilander won the Monte-Carlo Masters for a second and final time in 1987, beating Jimmy Arias in the final.
Every record Rafael Nadal holds at the Monte-Carlo Masters
Wilander might have just ousted Nadal as the youngest champion, but Nadal still holds seven records at the Masters event.
Would Carlos Alcaraz beat a prime Rafael Nadal?
His records for most titles, finals, and consecutive finals will very likely never be beaten as they are extraordinary numbers not seen at any other tournament.
Two other players hold a record at the tournament, outside of Wilander, and one of those is Nadal’s great rival Novak Djokovic.
Despite deciding not to play this year’s event, he holds the record for the most tournaments played with 18.
Nadal is not the oldest champion to win that event either. That falls to Gordon Francis Lowe, who won the event at the age of 38 years, eight months, and six days.
The King of Clay was six years away from Lowe’s record when he won Monte-Carlo for the last time in 2018.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
