Rafael Nadal is undeniably the best clay-court player of all time, with a record 63 tour-level titles captured on the surface.
The Spaniard collected an incredible tally of 14 Roland Garros crowns during his legendary career, winning his first in 2005 and last in 2022.
While his record in Paris is astonishing and perhaps unbeatable, equally as impressive was Nadal‘s streak at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
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From 2005 until 2012, he won eight consecutive titles in Monte-Carlo, becoming the first man in the Open Era to win the same tournament as many times in a row.
In 2013, the ‘King of Clay’ looked to make it nine straight, but he was denied by his longtime rival in the final: Novak Djokovic.
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Djokovic defeated Nadal in straight sets to hoist the trophy that year, winning 6-2, 7-6 to dethrone the eight-time defending champion.
Asked in his post-match press conference if the win ranked highly among his past achievements, the Serb replied: “Absolutely, because of the significance that this tournament presents to me.
“I live here, as I was saying before, spend a lot of time in this club. I mean, for me, the most beautiful club in the world because I love the view, I love the people. Wimbledon is right up there (smiling).
“So I enjoy it. I cannot be happier than I am in this moment knowing what I’ve been through the whole week, actually two weeks, right after Davis Cup, trying to recover and make a decision to play or not to play.
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“If somebody told me 10 days ago I’d be winning the trophy, I wouldn’t think it’s so realistic, to be honest.
“But, you know, I went through pain, I went through a big challenge, mentally, physically, emotionally, and in the end it was getting better as the tournament was going on.
“I knew after yesterday’s match that I had a feeling that I had a big chance to win against Rafa if I was on the top of my game.
“The first six, seven games, eight games, were unbelievable. It’s the best that I can play on clay. Well, it’s the only way you can win against Rafa.”
Rafael Nadal’s reaction to his streak ending
Reacting to the loss, Nadal said: “I like to win more than lose, but that’s sport. Is not a tragedy. I lost after eight years without losing here. That’s something. That’s the more normal thing that can happen after all the success that I had here.
“I think for me it was a positive week. That’s the thing. Was a really positive week for me. I didn’t have the practice in Mallorca, I just practiced here before the tournament. With not much preparation, I was able to play in the finals, a few matches.
“This week going to help me be fit for the next weeks. Hopefully, I can play another great week in Barcelona next week, play some matches that will keep helping to put me in the 100% condition physically talking. If we talk about tennis, I was pleased about my tennis this afternoon.
“So that’s all, no? I think I’m in the right way. Five finals in a row. If you tell me that four months before, I will be crying for emotions, no?
“Just very happy to be able to play against the best players of the world another time, and play with real chances. That’s very, very important for me and is fantastic new. I feel emotions about that.”
Following the loss, Nadal went on a dominant winning streak, winning the title in Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros.
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