Rafael Nadal rules in ATP's video of iconic Rome Masters championship points: Watch

Ahead of Internazionali d'Italia, also kwn as Rome Masters, ATP Tour's Instagram p posted a stalgic compilation of some of greatest championship points in history of tournament. Unsurprisingly, video is dominated by 'King of Clay' Rafael Nadal. Current World . 2 Rafael Nadal won his first title in Rome in 2005, four years after he turned pro. He has been a permanent fixture at ATP 1000 Masters event in Rome ever since.

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In video, a young 18-year old Nadal can be seen winning his first title in Rome. Playing against Argentina's Guillermo Coria, who was also a clay court favourite, Nadal fought for five hours and 14 minutes to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. This, of course, was still back in days when ATP Masters for Men were decided on a best-of-five basis, instead of best of three that is practised today. After match, an ecstatic Nadal remarked that he had played one of toughest matches of his life that day.

With his long hair and coach Toni Nadal in his box, Rafael Nadal has come a long way since that maiden win. long hair has been sheared off and Toni Nadal has been replaced with Carlos Moya, but titles keep coming. Since 2005, Nadal has defeated Roger Federer, vak Djokovic, David Ferrer, Alexander Zverev and Fernando Gonzalez to win 8 more titles. longest he has gone without winning at in Rome is from 2014-2017 when Djokovic, Murray and Zverev won. 

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undisputed King of Clay 

Rafa's love for Clay has been well-documented over last 15 years. Coming up at a time when Roger Federer was owning game on grass and hard courts, Rafael Nadal carved his niche in red clay surfaces of Europe. Rafa has distinction of having longest single-surface win streak by a male. From 2005 to 2007, he won 81 consecutive matches on clay courts; 16 better than Federer's record on grass, and 25 better than Federer's record on hard courts.

Today, 13 years on, record still stands unbroken. Never has a player dominated a single surface to this degree. In 2010, Nadal became first and only player in Men's tennis to complete 'Clay Slam', winning  French Open and all three clay-court Masters 1000 events (Monte Carlo, Rome, Madrid) in a calendar year. 

Nadal opens his season on clay at Rome Masters 2020

After taking an extended break due to pandemic this year, Rafael Nadal will return to tennis circuit for clay-court season. He will play fellow Spaniard Pablo Carre Busta in second round of Rome Masters 2020. 9-time Masters 1000 titleholder in Rome, Nadal will look to round off to a massive ten titles at tournament. He will also be a favourite to win at French Open 2020, where he has won  title a record 12 times in his career. 

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Im Credits: Internazionali d'Italia Instagram