17 years since the beginning of Rafa Nadal’s most incredible streak

The April 12, 2005 Nadal began what was to be his second participation in Monte Carlo. He debuted in the Principality in 2003, reaching the third round at the age of 17 and did not play due to injury in 2004. His first rival in that second presence there was a player from his fifth, both born in 1986: Gael Monfilswho had been number one in the junior world and that the previous year, in that category, he conquered the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Rafa won 6-3 and 6-2 and thus began one of his most spectacular records in a career that had just begun and that has made him a legend of the sport. After that victory over Monfils another 79 would come in a row on clay, for the spectacular record of 80 without failure. Until 2007 nobody could with him on that surface. The list of what happened and its victims is as dizzying as it is interesting to visit: