World number one Novak Djokovic ended Rafael Nadal‘s eight-year reign at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday with an impressive 6-2, 7-6 victory in the final. Nadal posted 46 consecutive wins at this claycourt event with his last and only defeat at this event was against Guillermo Coria 10 years ago. Last year, Nadal defeated Djokovic in the final.
“Rafa, thank you for allowing me to win it once,” Djokovic said. “I couldn’t ask for a better start to the clay season.”
It can be remembered that last year at this event, Djokovic’s grandfather died but the Serb went on to play in the tournament and reached the final. With his victory on Sunday, Djokovic dropped to the ground and kissed the clay.
Djokovic was unsure whether he’ll participate at this event due to having injured his ankle in his Davis Cup match but his decision to play on paid off.
“I didn’t know I would be a part of the tournament this year. … (It’s) the best decision I ever made in my life,” Djokovic said.
Nadal seemed set to take the match to a thrilling third set after leading 4-2 in the second set. However, his serve faltered and when Djokovic broke his serve to love to force a tiebreaker in the second set, the match headed to the Serb’s favor.
Despite the loss, Nadal has made an impressive comeback this season, having reached five consecutive finals – and winning three of them.
