Rafael Nadal has logged 900 ATP World Tour victories throughout his career, a milestone so significant that only four other players have accomplished the feat in the Open Era (Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, Ivan Lendl, Guillermo Vilas).
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That's a lot of wins, even by Nadal's lofty standards. So many wins, in fact, he lost count. What should have been extra reason to celebrate following his fourth-round victory at Roland Garros on Monday nearly went unnoticed by the 16-time Grand Slam champion.
"Today was my 900th win?" Nadal asked after defeating Maximilian Marterer 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4), one day after his 32nd birthday. "It's hard to choose just one of my favourites, honestly, but if I were to narrow it down, I'd say it's a tie between the 2004 Davis Cup final [d. Roddick 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-6(6), 6-2] because the experience was surreal and the match in Rome against [Guillermo] Coria in 2005 [d. Coria 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6)].
“But there so many others that are special to me as well. The 2008 Wimbledon final [d. Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7], the Australian Open final in 2009 [d. Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2], the 2010 final at Roland Garros [d. Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4], then the final at the US Open later that year [d. Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2] ... the US Open win stands out because it was the only Grand Slam I hadn't won up until that point. And then last year, here at Roland Garros [d. Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3, 6-1]; winning the final meant so much to me."
So which triumph stands out most to the members of Nadal's team? ATPWorldTour.com asked them that question.
Carlos Costa
Role: Nadal's agent
Match: Third round, Miami 2004 v. Roger Federer
Result: 6-3, 6-3
I picked this match because it's when we first caught a glimpse of what was to come from Rafa. It was the first time they crossed paths. One hour, 10 minutes later, a young Nadal had eliminated the World No. 1 from Miami. Back then, I knew Nadal was good, but I couldn't have imagined he'd go on to accomplish all that he has accomplished over the years. That match was a warning of things to come.
Marc Lopez
Role: Friend and occasional doubles partner
Match: Final, Rome 2005 v. Guillermo Coria
Result: 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6)
It was an amazing match. The press was calling it the match of the year. Rafa was down two breaks, 0-3, in the fifth set and Coria was playing like a wall at the time. Anything you hit across that net, you'd better expect it to come right back. After over five hours, Rafa managed to overcome Coria. I've actually watched the match online a few times since then; that's how impressed I was.
Rafael Maymo
Role: Physiotherapist
Match: Final, Australian Open 2009 v. Federer
Result: 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2
Rafa and Roger have clashed in a lot of epic finals over the years, but my favourite was at the Australian Open in 2009. It was a battle of attrition and very taxing physically. The Spaniard was the last man standing and he lifted his first crown in Melbourne. A round before, he defeated Fernando Verdasco, which also took five hours to complete. It was draining, but incredible in the end.
Carlos Moya
Role: Head coach
Match: Final, Davis Cup 2004 v. Andy Roddick
Result: 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-6(6), 6-2
This is the match that launched Rafa's career. He was bound for success regardless, but that match was a breakthrough. It was the key match in determining the outcome of the Davis Cup that year, the only time I won as a player, and we as Team Spain bonded. We all knew how special that moment was.
Toni Nadal
Role: Uncle, coach/trainer through 2017
Match: Final, Wimbledon 2008 v. Federer
Result: 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7
Several victories stand out to me during my time with Rafa; the first Roland Garros triumph and the first Monte-Carlo crown, but most of all, the first Wimbledon title. He's had a lot of remarkable victories apart from those ... really, I have to choose just one? This isn't easy, you know! Lots to pick from, but that first Wimbledon trophy will always stick with me. That was something truly special.
Benito Perez-Barbadillo
Role: Public Relations Manager
Match: Final, Roland Garros 2012 v. Novak Djokovic
Result: 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
It's hard to narrow down my favourite because he's had so many great wins. I'll go with one on a personal level, one that has a special place in my heart: that final at Roland Garros in 2012. Prior to the start of the season, I had worked at some capacity with both players. History was on the line; Nadal could be the first [male] to win seven titles at Roland Garros ... There were rain delays and even though Nadal started fast, Djokovic was gaining ground. It meant a lot to see Nadal win that day at Bois de Boulogne.
Angel Ruiz Cotorro
Role: Physician
Match: Final, US Open 2013 v. Djokovic
Result: 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
This match meant the most to me; it's my favourite, personally. But it wasn't the best I've ever seen of Rafa. For that, you'd have to go back to his quarter-final match against [Andy] Murray in 2008 at Wimbledon. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favour and watch it. It's brutal stuff.
Jordi Robert
Role: Nike representative responsible for Nadal's outfits
Match: Final, US Open 2010 v. Djokovic
Result: 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
Rafa made history that day; he completed the 'Grand Slam' by winning the US Open, the only major that eluded him up until then. What makes it truly special to me though, is the fact that Novak was playing so well at that point. He was fit, healthy, and I remember the match being level after two sets. I have fond memories of New York on that day, and how Rafa raised his play in the last two sets.
Tomeu Salva
Role: Best friend and coach at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Mallorca, Spain
Match: Final, Roland Garros 2005 v. Mariano Puerta
Result: 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1, 7-5
His win over Puerta probably isn't what most people would consider their favourite, but it's special to me because it was his first Grand Slam trophy. I got to see him fulfill his dream. Nothing beats Roland Garros. All the effort he put into winning there made the moment that more special. He was just 18, but winning one means you can win more and that's what he went on to do.