(AP) World No. 5 Rafael Nadal won a ninth Monte-Carlo title and record-equalling 28th Masters crown with a hard-earned 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 victory over Gael Monfils.
It is the 68th singles title of Rafa’s career and his 48th clay-court title. Our champ now holds an impressive 353-33 record on clay (26-6 in 2015, 9-2 in 2016).
Rafa sank to his knees after sealing victory with a brilliant forehand winner. It took him 2 hours, 46 minutes to finally see off Monfils, who had never won a set against our champ on clay and lost 11 of their 13 previous matches.
Rafa dropped his serve five times against the 13th-seeded Monfils in a topsy-turvy encounter in which they conceded 34 break-point chances between them.
This has been one of the most special places in my career. It’s just a pleasure to be back here in a final playing in front of you at this amazing club.
It has been a very special week for me, winning here in Monte Carlo. What really makes it even more special is the fantastic crowd. Many thanks to everybody here.
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France on day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France on day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain sprints to make a return during the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France on day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France on day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Xisca Perello, girlfriend of Spain’s Rafael Nadal, looks on during his tennis match against France’s Gael Monfils during the final of the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament in Monaco on April 17, 2016. AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016 – Source: AFP)
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – APRIL 17: Maria Francisca Perello aka Xisca Perello, girlfriend of Rafael Nadal of Spain attends the final of the 2016 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France on day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Tennis – Monte Carlo Masters – Monaco, 17/04/16. Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning his final tennis match against Gael Monfils of France at the Monte Carlo Masters REUTERS/Eric Gaillard TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Tennis – Monte Carlo Masters – Monaco, 17/04/16. Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning his final tennis match against Gael Monfils of France at the Monte Carlo Masters REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
Tennis – Monte Carlo Masters – Monaco, 17/04/16. Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning his final tennis match against Gael Monfils of France at the Monte Carlo Masters REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
Tennis – Monte Carlo Masters – Monaco, 17/04/16. Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning his final tennis match against Gael Monfils of France at the Monte Carlo Masters REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final match, on April 17, 2016 in Monaco. Nadal defeated Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 to win a record ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters.AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final match, on April 17, 2016 in Monaco. Nadal defeated Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 to win a record ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters.AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final match, on April 17, 2016 in Monaco. Nadal defeated Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 to win a record ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters.AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016 – Source: AFP)
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – APRIL 17: Maria Francisca Perello aka Xisca Perello, girlfriend of Rafael Nadal of Spain attends the final of the 2016 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Photographers take pictures as Spain’s Rafael Nadal kisses his girlfriend Xisca Perello after winning against France’s Gael Monfils in the final tennis match at the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament in Monaco on April 17, 2016. Nadal defeated Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 to win a record ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters. AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE / AFP / VALERY HACHE(April 17, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Photographers take pictures as Spain’s Rafael Nadal kisses his girlfriend Xisca Perello after winning against France’s Gael Monfils in the final tennis match at the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament in Monaco on April 17, 2016. Nadal defeated Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 to win a record ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters. AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE / AFP / VALERY HACHE(April 17, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy after victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final match, on April 17, 2016 in Monaco. Nadal defeated Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 to win a record ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters.AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final match, on April 17, 2016 in Monaco. Nadal defeated Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 to win a record ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters.AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016 – Source: AFP)
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – APRIL 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy after victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy after victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final match, on April 17, 2016 in Monaco. Nadal defeated Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 to win a record ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters.AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy after victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016)
AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates with his trophy during the awarding ceremony following the final tennis match against France’s Gael Monfils at the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament in Monaco on April 17, 2016. Nadal defeated Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 to win a record ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters.. AFP PHOTO / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP / JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET (April 17, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy after victory in the singles final match against Gael Monfils of France during day eight of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 17, 2016 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 16, 2016 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Nadal CONGRATULATINS!!!! This was nail biting and tense but the best ever result after a gruelling match. You did it and your strength, knowledge and mental ability is unequalled around the world of tennis players. Let no one ever say you are mentally week because it takes a lot of courage strength and power to do what you have done!!! You are The Champion and deserve this victory!!! It was amazing to watch and felt like I played it with you I was so captured by it all THANK YOU Nadal !!!
RAFA CONGRATULATIONS to you you played soooooooooooooo well and your techniques and different play were GREAT..
Lovely to see Maria CONGRATULATING YOU too,
and I would love you to bring her to Sydney Australia.
Love and God bless,
AlaineXX
Two beautiful tennis players.the playful Monfils,how I love him too but the deep core of my heart is with Rafa since 2005 Long may he reign to excite us.
Felicidades mi querido campeon, hoy y siempre…te queremos desde Ecuador
FELICIDADES MI QUERIDO RAFA. ME PUSISTE MUY NERVIOSA PERO SABIA QUE IBAS A GANAR. SUERTE Y MEXICO TE QUIERE Y YO TAMBIEN. SALUDOS A MARIA
I knew you’d win the title. You got your groove & swag back and I’m glad. Congratulations Rafa, you’re the most classiest tennis player in the world. Now go get back the rest of your swag. Aloha, from Honolulu, Hawaii. . . . .
O my o new you can do it Rafa congrats .naw get ready for the French Open.vamossssssssssssssssssss your fans for ever.🎾🇺🇸👍🎾🇺🇸👍🎾🇺🇸👍❤️
YES! Congratulations on your great win Champ. What a amazing match. Very happy for you. You deserve it so much. – Looove the pictures, you look so happy and relieved. – You sweet, handsome, beautiful man. Enjoy your victory and all the very best forward. ❤️U 😘 VAMOS RAFA 😃🎾💪👑🏆😍
Wow, what a glorious victory for Rafa! He climbed Mt Everest all week and reached
the top today. First beating Bedene, Dominic, Stan, Andy, then Gael.
Three totally nail-biting and mesmerizing sets to behold. Both Rafa and Gael were
just magnificent! But Rafa physically annihilated Gael in the 3rd set. I loved Rafa’s
deep angle forehand shots in all those rallies. He really took Gael off the court into another universe. Gael had nothing left in the tank while Rafa was fresh as a daisy.
I am so happy for Rafa and his team. Enjoy your well-deserved celebration.
Ninth title in Monte Carlo, how special is that!
Fantastic but up and down made me very nervous! Great shots but need to go to the net more and practice your Aces!! Vamos for Barcelona next week.