MONTE CARLO, April 22, 2018
For the 11th time, Rafael Nadal has won the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters title. The World No. 1 defeated Kei Nishikori of Japan in Sunday’s singles final 6-3, 6-2 to win his 31st career ATP Masters 1000 title, which is currently the most of any player.
Nadal dominated the encounter, firing 20 winners and breaking the Japanese four times to prevail in one hour and 33 minutes.
👑 of Clay.
The moment @RafaelNadal won his 11th Monte-Carlo title…
He defeats Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-2. #RolexMCMasters pic.twitter.com/ZFG1d5ZzDb
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 22. April 2018
“My true feeling is these kind of things are not going to happen forever, so I just try to enjoy them and to play with the full passion and with the full energy and concentration, full love for the sport until I can,” said Nadal, who clinched the Monte-Carlo title without dropping a set for the fifth time.
“I know the day to say goodbye is closer than 10 years ago. It is something that I am not worried about, but it is a real thing. So I am just enjoying every day and trying to play with the best attitude possible, to keep being happy playing tennis. That’s all.
“Of course it is a special day for me. Winning again this title here in Monte-Carlo means a lot, especially because it is the first tournament in the year that I finished. To have the victory in a Masters 1000, especially in Monte-Carlo, that for me is one of the most important ones in terms of personal feeling and in terms of history of our sport. I am very excited and very happy for everything.”
Nadal, who dropped only 21 games en route to the title, received €935,385 in prize money and earned 1,000 ATP Rankings points.
Next up for the Spaniard will be his home campaign in Barcelona, where he is a 10-time titlist, having won a career-best 36 consecutive sets on clay.
Bryan/Bryan take doubles crown
Bob and Mike Bryan captured their sixth doubles title Principality of Monaco. The US-American duo edged past Oliver Marach of Austria and Mate Pavic from Croatia 7-6, 6-3 in the final.
“Great job to Oliver and Mate this week as it’s been a great start to the season for you. Mate, I think you’re 24 and it’s your first appearance in Monte-Carlo, we’ve been playing here 20 years and we’re turning 40 next week, so you have plenty of chances to win the title here,” Mike Bryan said.
The siblings took their 116th tour-level team title.
