When the pirate-pants wearing Rafael Nadal came of age on clay

Rafael Nadal made the world sit up and take note when he won the 2005 Monte Carlo Masters as a teenager.
The 18-year-old prodigy beat defending champion Guillermo Coria 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 in three hours and seven minutes back in April 2005 to secure his maiden ATP Masters 1000 trophy.
The New York Times said “Nadal came of age”, adding “this was the week when he showed the true depth of his talent”.
And it is hard to argue with that as Nadal went on an incredible 81-match unbeaten run on clay and he has collected 10 French Open titles since his 2005 success in the Principality.
“I was happy to win the Davis Cup last year but this is unbelievable, it’s my first big title,” said Nadal.
However, not only was the King of Clay “born” during the 2005 Monte Carlo Masters, he also brought with him a breath of fresh air.
The ATP Tour suddenly had an 18-year-old from Majorca bouncing around the court in pirate pants and a sleeveless shirt with bulging biceps that several veteran players could only dream about.
The New York Times described him as “a flashy Majorcan with a ruffian’s swagger and an angelic grin”.
The Independent had the following to say after his win: “Rafael Nadal, whose pirate pants made him look as if he should be scampering up the rigging of a galleon, seems certain to plunder the treasure chests of tournaments for years to come.”
The Guardian started their match report as follows: “In his yellow shirt, bandanna, and pirate-length white trousers, Rafael Nadal might be passed by on any Mediterranean beach as just another teenage kid having his kicks. But place him on a tennis court and this 18-year-old Spaniard from Mallorca is transformed into a world-class athlete.”
Nadal would don the Nike capri / pirate pants until 2008 and during that time he won five Grand Slam titles with four coming at Roland Garros.
Asked about his decision to change his gear nearly a decade ago, the Spaniard said: “I had been using those long shorts from 2005 until 2008. It was, you know, something different and I enjoyed it, but at that point I felt like it was the moment for a change. I felt that I was not a kid anymore.”
Many fans were sad with the change in style and even his long-time rival Roger Federer admitted during a 2010 ESPN interview that he missed it.
“I think it’s a pity he gave up his pirate pants and the sleeveless [shirts]. I thought our styles were colliding even more then. I kind of miss it,” the Swiss said.
However, a decade after he made the switch to the more traditional tennis attire, the sleeveless shirt made a comeback at the 2018 Australian Open.
Who knows, we might see the pirate pants again in future.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz set to face rival in exhibition event; Caroline Wozniacki to play Maria Sakkari
Carlos Alcaraz is set to face a rival in an exhibition match in Mexico, while Caroline Wozniacki will take on Maria Sakkari.
-
Tennis News
Piers Morgan rips into Emma Raducanu for taking part in ‘woke and absurd’ advert
Piers Morgan has turned his verbal fire on Raducanu after she took part in a HSBC advert.
-
Tennis News
Tennis legend backs Novak Djokovic to play ‘as long as the young guys don’t want to beat him’
A tennis great “does not blame” Novak Djokovic for wanting to continue playing for “as long as these young guys don’t want” to beat him.
-
Tennis News
‘I’d love to see Rafael Nadal play one more time – he’s a student of the game’, says tennis great
A tennis legend would love to see fellow great Rafael Nadal play “one more time” before the Spaniard retires.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer ready to ‘return to the court’ as he hints at big plan
Roger Federer has hinted at a return to the court as he looks to get back into top shape.
-
Tennis News
Iga Swiatek reveals biggest hurdle to her completing a career Grand Slam
Iga Swiatek discussed when she hopes to complete a career Grand Slam and suggested what her biggest hurdle may be.
-
Tennis News
‘Carlos Alcaraz was No 1 most of this year but all the players still think Novak Djokovic is No 1’
A top analyst has claimed “all the players” still think Novak Djokovic is the best player in the world.
-
ATP Tour
Nightmare draw for Andy Murray as Carlos Alcaraz learns his fate in China Open
Carlos Alcaraz set to return to action for the first time since the US Open.
-
Tennis News
Huge money on offer in China with record prize pot up for grabs for top women
The top women players will be chasing a huge cash prize at the China Open.
-
Tennis News
Tennis legend makes big Ben Shelton prediction as American stars at Laver Cup
A tennis legend has hailed the game of rising star Ben Shelton and made a big prediction about the 20-year-old American.