ATP Masters Rome: The crazy dominance of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome. In terms of dominance in the Italian capital, however, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: May 16, 2021, 09:30 am
When Carlos Moya and David Nalbandian competed against each other in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome on May 9th, 2004, it was supposed to be a remarkable result in the careers of the two former world-class players today, almost exactly 17 years later , but exactly this final is being talked about, neither of the two had expected that at the time.
In fact, Moya and Nalbandian played the last final before a crazy dominance set in in the Italian capital. A dominance that is now - just those 17 years later - is experiencing another high point. It was already clear on Saturday afternoon in Rome: For the 17th time in a row, either Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic will be in the final of the classic clay court in Rome.
Twelfth final for Nadal, eleventh for Djokovic
Rafael Nadal won his twelfth final ticket in Rome with his semi-final win over Reilly Opelka, while Djokovic is in the Rome final for the eleventh time after his semi-final win over Lorenzo Sonego. An impressive record, especially since since 2004 only two players besides the two have managed to win the title in Rome: the German Alexander Zverev and the Scot Andy Murray.
Although Djokovic's eleven finals represent a sensational record at almost every tournament in the world, Nadal - the king of the clay courts - manages to trump this record again. Of his twelve finals in the Italian capital, the 20-time Grand Slam winner was able to win a whopping nine, while Djokovic has five titles in Rome. And on Sunday? For the sixth time, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will play a Rome final against each other. The two men who dominate the tournament like no one before them has ever done before.
Here here for the draw of Rome!