Rafael Nadal’s 7 astonishing Monte Carlo Masters records revealed
There’s dominance, and then there’s ‘Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo’ dominance.
Few have ever been able to have as much success at one tournament as Nadal has at the Monte Carlo Masters, with win after win for the 22-time Grand Slam winner.
And, though we may not see him step onto court at the famed event again, his legacy will loom large for decades to come.
Nadal’s dominance in Monte Carlo is highlighted by seven astonishing records, which we look into here.
Most titles: 11
It should come as no surprise that, considering his domination, Nadal is clear in the number of titles won at the event.
He has lifted the trophy a staggering 11 times, only winning more titles at Roland Garros (14) and the Barcelona Open (12).
Nadal is eight clear in the number of titles won in Monte Carlo during the Open Era, with Ilie Nastase, Bjorn Borg, and Thomas Muller the only other men to win it three times.
Read More: The last 7 men to lift the Monte Carlo Masters title: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic star
Most finals: 12
Alongside winning the most titles, Nadal is also clear in the number of finals reached at the prestigious event.
As well as winning the title from 2005 to 2012, and again from 2016 to 2018, he also reached the final in 2013, where he lost to Novak Djokovic.
Most consecutive titles: 8
Several men have won back-to-back titles in Monte Carlo, with Stefanos Tsitsipas the last man to do just that in 2021 and 2022.
But no man has ever come close to Nadal’s streak of eight consecutive triumphs, winning the title for the first time in 2005 and then again every year up until 2012.
That is not only a Monte Carlo record but an all-time Open Era record, with no man ever winning a title at that level as many times in a row as he has.
11 – Only Rafael Nadal at the Roland Garros (14) and … Rafael Nadal in Barcelona (12) won more titles than … Rafael Nadal in Monte-Carlo (11) in a single ATP event in the Open Era. Sadness.#RolexMonteCarloMasters | @ROLEXMCMASTERS @atptour https://t.co/zbPZtbz7Aq
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) April 5, 2024
Most consecutive finals: 9
Nadal’s run of titles at the Masters 1000 aided him in breaking the record for consecutive finals at the event.
After reaching the final for the first time in 2005, it was not until 2014 that he did not make the final once again, falling in the last eight that year.
Most consecutive matches won: 46
After losing in the third round to Guillermo Coria in his tournament debut in 2003, Nadal returned to the event in 2005 and did not lose another match until his loss to Djokovic in 2013.
That saw him set an astonishing record for most matches won in a row at Monte Carlo, claiming 46 victories on the trot before his eventual loss.
Read More: Novak Djokovic reveals three of his most memorable matches against Rafael Nadal
Most matches played: 79
Though he has not played the event since 2021, Nadal’s consistency and stranglehold over the event saw him spend more time on court than anyone else.
He has played 79 matches in Monte Carlo, spanning from his first main draw match 21 years ago against Karol Kucera to his quarter-final against Andrey Rublev three years ago.
Most matches won: 73
Having played at the tournament 17 times during his career, Nadal has only been beaten in Monte Carlo six times.
He has 73 match wins to his name at the event, spanning 18 years and a period of clay court dominance like no other.
