This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
On the 15th anniversary of his first Monte Carlo Masters title, Rafael Nadal's incredible journey to tennis greatness is a testament to his unwavering dedication and unrelenting passion for the sport.
It was 2005 when Nadal, just 18 years old, defeated Guillermo Coria in the Monte Carlo final, marking a turning point in his career that would propel him to become one of the sport's all-time greats.
Two years earlier, Nadal had already given tennis a glimpse of his future potential when, at 16, he stunned French Open champion Albert Costa on the famous red clay of the Mediterranean.
His 2005 triumph was one of 11 titles Nadal captured that year, with eight of them coming on clay at various tournaments around the world.
That success was also reflected in the rankings, with Nadal rising from 51st in the world at the end of 2004 to become the world number two just 12 months later.
Among his impressive 85-trophy career haul, 11 of Nadal's titles have come in Monte Carlo, including a record eight in a row from 2005-2012 and three more between 2016-2018.
Despite his impressive achievements, Nadal remains humble and grounded, with world number one Novak Djokovic praising his 'champion's mentality' and 'resilience'.
As Nadal continues to dominate the tennis world, his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time is cemented, with 209 weeks spent as world number one and a record 19 Grand Slam titles to his name.
