From the soul. He drew a parallel right for the victory, which he threw almost at the apex; Thus he finished off a superb Gael Monfils, feisty until his tank was empty (7-5, 5-7, 6-0 after two hours and 46 minutes), and then immediately clenched his fists, excited, glanced at the cloudy sky in Monte Carlo and dug his knees on the red clay, territory in which, with this victory, has already signed his, on nine occasions. It was, somehow, the release of Rafael Nadal, an athlete beyond the trophies and the epic tennis he will always be remembered as a great champion.
With the victory, the 68th title of his career after 100 finals, 28th of a Masters 1000 -the same number as Novak Djokovic-, has a capital importance for the Spanish. Thus he ended a winning eight-month drought His latest award, junior, dated last August, in Hamburg- but above all stressed the competitive category of a man who in the last two years has gone through one of the most complex personal circumstances, with anxiety and criticism always involved, and always exposed.
During that period, which paradoxically suffered the mind and not his body, the Achilles has deprived him of more success, Nadal had the virtue of never again face or give in to fear. Disappointment and defeat, and consequently skepticism, became a harmful routine, but he always referred to his desire for personal and professional growth. No one believed more in him than himself, champion in self-esteem. “If I continue like this, the reward will come,” warned since December, when on his game peaks of optimism were present already.
Nadal has always been faithful to his methods, work and faith. And so, through a recipe that some voices are branded as archaic, it’s like back to stick his head in victory. He had not succeeded any great victories since his stint and ninth title in Roland Garros, July 2014; a month earlier, in Madrid, was the last time he held a Masters 1000, the tournaments on the ATP which are considered second value.
The hard pilgrimage and the devastating Djokovic authority with which he always avoids comparison. The Serbian is still far away, but with the victory in Monte Carlo the Spanish sends a message: no one should rule him, not yet. There was no better way to start the clay European tour to a good performance in the Principality.
There he leaves a progression sequence, with gold against rivals like Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray or Monfils, who offered a titanic strength and gave luster to the triumphant return of Nadal. All performance from the French was based on his calculated breaks, trying to surprise from his positioning. It is uncommon for him to be exhausted, panting. He did this time, because the excellent physical tone from Nadal demanded it.
Despite the circumstances, the French was still able to play with a smile on his mouth. His performance multiplied as the adrenaline came in; He had options, but the volatilized Nadal set the tone in the third set. “I congratulate Rafa. Not only for the party but for the joy of seeing him back at the highest level and winning a title. He did his best, but the Spanish was superior, admitted the Parisian. “This is a special place for me. I want to thank my team because we have been spent a little hard, ” the Spanish added that before leaving the Rainier III court he slammed a heartfelt phrase into a camera, in honor of his grandfather Rafael, director of the Manacor orchestra, he died a few months ago: “Va per tu padrinet” (This one is for you, Grandpa).
The ninth win of Nadal in Monte Carlo also marked his 48th title on clay. That is, the athlete from Manacor now just a trophy away from a world record established by the Argentine Guillermo Vilas; in total, the Bull accumulated 62 individual awards, while Nadal adds an overall figure of 68. Now with Barcelona, Madrid and Rome ahead, the Spaniard has the chance to overtake the record for himself.
Nadal 28 Masters 1000.
Indian Wells. 2007, 2009 and 2013.
Monte Carlo. 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016.
Hamburg. 2008.
Madrid. 2005, 2010, 2013 and 2014.
Rome. 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.
Toronto-Montreal. 2005, 2008 and 2013.
Cincinnati. 2013.
