Rafael Nadal and Gael Monfils played 16 matches between 2005 and 2019, with the Spaniard scoring 14 wins. Their first duel came in Monte Carlo, and they embraced the title clash 11 years later. Gael threw everything at Rafa while chasing a notable title.
However, the Frenchman experienced a 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 less in two hours and 46 minutes! Speaking about the match, Gael praised Rafa and his incredible clay-court skills, sending them above the GOAT title. Monfils fought well in the opening two sets.
In his words, it was his finest performance on the slowest surface. He took the second set and extended the battle before Nadal shifted into a higher gear. Gael admitted Rafa ‘Killed’ him physically in the final set, as against many other rivals on his beloved surface.
Quel est votre meilleur souvenir de Monte-Carlo ? Nous c’est la finale de 2016.
🇫🇷 Monfils ⚡️ Nadal 🇪🇸pic.twitter.com/ULMftyz85j
— TennisTemple (@tennistemple) April 3, 2024
After ten consecutive seasons at the top, Nadal lost ground in 2015 and 2016. He missed Major titles and struggled against the rivals from the top. Nadal kicked off the 2016 campaign with a heavy loss to Novak Djokovic in Doha. The Spaniard reached three semi-finals ahead of Monte Carlo, entering his favorite Masters 1000 event as world no. 5.
Rafael Nadal, Monte Carlo 2016© Stream screenshot
Rafa rules in Monte Carlo 2016
Rafa raised his level in the Principality. He defeated Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray for a place in the title clash.
Nadal faced Monfils, who chased his first Masters 1000 crown. Two great friends embraced an incredible battle in the opening two sets on Court Rainier III, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. Gael extended the encounter before Rafa stormed over him in the decider.
Rafael Nadal & Gael Monfils, Monte Carlo 2016© Stream screenshot
Thus, the Spaniard clinched his 68th ATP title at 29 and the first notable one in almost two years! Nadal would not keep this form in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros in the upcoming two months, but it was nice to lift a notable trophy after such an extended break by his standards.
Gael gave everything in the opening two sets. He forced a decider after two hours and 16 minutes but had nothing more left in the tank. Rafa took the energy away from his rival and delivered a bagel in the decider, sealing the deal in style.
Nadal’s numbers versus Monfils
Two great rivals extended crafty baseline exchanges, sharp and precise winners, mind-blowing defense and a transition to attacking mode. It was one of the most entertaining encounters of the season and a memorable final that went to the king of clay’s side.
It was a career-best tournament for Gael up to that point despite having ATP titles by his name. He played well en route to the final and made the greatest clay-courter ever run for his money for over two hours. Nadal served at 72%.
Gael Monfils, Monte Carlo 2016© Stream screenshot
The legend needed every one of his first serves after struggling behind the second big time. He faced 13 break points and dropped serve five times. Monfils needed more to seal the deal in straight sets. The Frenchman dropped over half of the points in his games.
He played against 21 break points and experienced eight breaks, three in the decider. They sprayed 90 unforced errors, with Gael adding over 50. Nadal tamed his strokes more efficiently, especially in the decider, forging the advantage in the shortest and mid-range exchanges.
Quand le Roi de la terre est impressionné par ton coup droit stratosphérique. 🚀
Souvenir avec la souche légendaire de Gaël Monfils contre Rafa Nadal en finale du Masters de Monte-Carlo 2016.
🎥 @atptour | @TennisTV | @ROLEXMCMASTERS pic.twitter.com/wmeOfBOsQx
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) April 5, 2024
Rafa vs. Gael – The battle is on!
Monfils knew how to challenge the most formidable rival on clay. The Frenchman endured the rallies and changed the pace to draw the Spaniard out off his comfort zone. However, he failed to keep that level in the third hour of the duel, spraying too many errors and finishing runner-up.
They closed the opening two games of the match with holds at 30. Gael bounced back from 15-40 in the third game and cracked a backhand crosscourt winner for a break chance. Rafa defended it with a crafty drop shot and a volley winner at the net.
Rafael Nadal, Monte Carlo 2016© Stream screenshot
The Spaniard made a push in the fourth game/ He drew the rival’s mistake with a backhand attack for a break and a 3-1 lead. Instead of building on that, Nadal sprayed a backhand error in the fifth game, bringing his opponent to the positive side.
Monfils netted a routine backhand in the sixth game and faced two break points. He denied them with winners and held for 3-3. The king of clay secured the seventh game with winners and made another push on the return in the next one.
Gael struggled behind the initial shot for the third straight time in the eighth game. He sprayed a forehand error and experienced a break at 15, propelling his opponent 5-3 in front. The Spaniard served for the opener in game nine and experienced a setback.
Rafael Nadal, Monte Carlo 2016© Stream screenshot
World no. 5 hit a double fault and lost serve, allowing his rival to prolong the battle. The Frenchman served to prolong the set at 4-5 and embraced his fourth loose service game in a row. He missed a forehand and faced two set points.
The lower-ranked player erased them before facing the third after a wayward forehand. The crowd favorite saved it after a cracking 34-stroke exchange and the rival’s mistake. Monfils closed the game with a backhand down the line winner, locking the result at 5-5 after 63 minutes!
Nadal left those chances behind and held at 15 in the 11th game for 6-5. The Spaniard created return chances for the fifth straight time in game 12, earning a set point after the Frenchman’s wild forehand. Rafa sent a forehand way behind the baseline but generated another set point.
He converted it after Gael’s double fault, forging a 7-5 advantage after 74 minutes.
Gael Monfils, Monte Carlo 2016© Stream screenshot
Monfils bounces back in set number two
After numerous issues behind the initial shot, Gael closed the second game of the second set at 15 with a forehand winner. He landed a deep return in the next one and drew Nadal’s mistake, delivering a break and opening a 2-1 advantage.
Monfils denied three break points in the fourth game and brought it home, cementing the lead and moving 3-1 up. The crowd favorite cracked a forehand down the line winner in the fifth game for another break opportunity. The Spaniard denied it with a fine forehand attack.
The legend closed the game with a winner at the net and reduced the deficit. Nadal pulled the break back at love in game six, welcoming Monfils’ loose forehand and locking the result at 3-3. Gael used a lucky net cord and placed a backhand winner for a break chance in game seven.
Rafael Nadal, Monte Carlo 2016© Stream screenshot
He converted it with a cracking forehand down the line winner, providing another break and moving 4-3 in front. Rafa responded with a break in game eight, leveling the score at 4-4 and extending the battle. The Spaniard held at love in game nine with a backhand winner.
Monfils served to stay in the match at 4-5 and closed it with a winner at the net for more drama. The Frenchman made a push on the return in game 11. He seized the fourth break chance after Nadal’s loose forehand, moving 6-5 in front and serving for the set.
Gael held his nerves and landed a service winner in game 12, taking the set 7-5 and introducing a decider after two hours and 16 minutes.
Rafael Nadal, Monte Carlo 2016© Stream screenshot
Rafa recovers and scores a bagel in the decider
Monfils extended the match but stood no chance in the decider after losing energy! Rafa dropped four points behind the initial shot and mounted the pressure on the other side. Nadal took charge on the return, giving away five points and securing a bagel.
The Spaniard grabbed the first game with a service winner and welcomed the rival’s double fault in the next one for a break and 2-0. Nadal cemented the break with a hold at 30 in the third game and drew the rival’s mistake in the next one for another break and 4-0.
The king of clay clinched the fifth game with a forehand winner and landed a volley winner at 5-0 for match points. Rafa cracked an incredible forehand down the line winner on the first, celebrating his first notable title in almost two years.
“I played my career-best match on clay in the 2016 Monte Carlo final against Rafa. However, he defeated me 6-0 in the decider. I gave everything, but he killed me physically. He is above GOAT on clay,” Gael Monfils said.
Tennis World USA