Rafa continues to re-write the history books

The rest of the Tour needed no reminder, but the world No.1 put in another clay court masterclass for an unprecedented 11th title in the Principality.

The eyes beaming, the grin stretching from cheek to cheek and the trademark trophy ‘bite’. 

For world No.1 Rafael Nadal the sheer delight in winning trophies simply hasn’t worn off yet. 

Well, the ‘King of Clay’ proved his prowess once again on the red dirt in Monte-Carlo to clinch La Undecima.

That’s right, an 11th Monte Carlo crown headed into Nadal’s clutches after another record breaking week for the Spaniard.

It was brutally efficient at the Monte-Carlo Country Club as the 31-year-old extended his run to 36 consecutive sets won on clay – which is a career best mark.

Aljaz Bedene, Karen Khachanov, Dominic Thiem, Grigor Dimitrov all huffed and puffed to no avail.

In those 36 sets, no opponent has managed to reach five games, compounding Nadal’s dominance on the red dirt.

A refreshed and rejuvenated Kei Nishikori vied for the trophy on Sunday and provided an early scare, with a piercing backhand passing shot down the line chalking up a 2-1 break.

However, as soon as the lethal looping strokes were arching off Nadal’s racket, the reigning champion scribed more history into the archives with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph in a 94-minute final. 

Before we continue on Nadal’s incessant excellence, a word on Nishikori. The Japanese star has been hampered by a succession of injuries and it was a welcome return to form. 

The 28-year-old motored around the court to oust Next Gen star Alexander Zverev from a set down and navigated past second seed Marin Cilic in three sets.

They very were promising signs, probably well ahead of schedule, and the world No.22 will be eager to build on that momentum on the road to Roland-Garros.

Back to the champion and in terms of Masters 1000 titles, Nadal inches ahead of his ‘Big Four’ rivals in the all-time list.

The world No.1 stands alone on 31 Masters trophies, edging Novak Djokovic (30), clay campaign absentee Roger Federer (27) and rehabbing Andy Murray (14).

“Of course it is a special day for me. Winning this title again here in Monte-Carlo means a lot, especially because it is the first tournament in the year that I finished,” said Nadal, who was forced into a period on the sidelines after retiring with a hip injury from his Australian Open semi-final with Cilic.

“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.”

Only 21 games were conceded in his five majestic matches at the Monte-Carlo Country Club, the fifth time Nadal has ruled in the Principality without dropping a set, having done so in 2008-10 and 2012.

"It is very special, it's unbelievable, it's something difficult to imagine. I always say the same: If I did it, somebody else can do it,” insisted Nadal.

“But it is very difficult. I really don't know how these things can happen because it is lot of years without making mistakes and without being unlucky in this week. I have been unlucky other weeks, but not this week.

"The history with this tournament is unique. To put another trophy in my museum, in my academy, is going to be something great. 11 is a lot, especially here in Monte-Carlo."

Nadal certainly hasn’t taken his success for granted and is cherishing his resurgence in the past couple of seasons.

"My true feeling is these kind of things are not going to happen forever,” explained the 16-time Grand Slam champion. “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’t anymore.”

The signs are ominous for the rest of the pack, Nadal could be cruising to an 11th Roland-Garros in mid-June.

Perhaps players need to be more brave sliding onto clay with Rafa? Are they beaten by his remarkable records before they even leave the locker room? 

Nadal was basically returning from the advertising hoardings in Monte-Carlo. It’s not a revelation, he sits back to wait and whips a ferocious return booming onto their baseline, but surely players can do more to break this rhythm? 

The Spaniard is rapid and can chase most dropshots, but simply rallying at the baseline with the ‘King of Clay’ is a fruitless task. 

Of course, that is easier said than done, but very few players can blast through his defence like Robin Soderling did in that classic 2009 Roland-Garros encounter.

Nadal now jets over to Barcelona and yes, you guessed it, he already has 10 titles on the Roll of Honour.

An intriguing re-match with Nishikori could await in the third round and a potential quarter-final with Novak Djokovic could produce some fireworks.

Plenty of questions marks hang over the rest of the Tour on clay, but it is business as usual for Rafa so far.