Rafael Nadal wins his first Masters 1000 trophy at 18

On April 17, 2005, Rafael Nadal lifted his first Masters 1000 crown in Monte Carlo. World no. 17 defeated six rivals en route to his first notable title. At 18 years, ten months and 14 days, Rafa became the second-youngest Masters 1000 champion after Michael Chang. 

A teenager claimed two titles on his beloved clay in February and lost the Miami Open final to Roger Federer from two sets to love up! The Spaniard bounced back in Monte Carlo and defeated Guillermo Coria in the final to write history books. 

Rafa stormed over his opening four rivals. A teenager dropped 14 games in eight sets against Gael Monfils, Xavier Malisse, Olivier Rochus and Gaston Gaudio to sail into the last four. His coeval Richard Gasquet pushed him to the limits for nearly three hours.

Nadal denied a break point in the seventh game of the final set before prevailing 6-7, 6-4, 6-3, arranging the title clash against Guillermo Coria. Facing the more experienced rival, Rafa prevailed 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 in three hours and nine minutes to lift a notable crown.

Rafa showed his rich talent in Monte Carlo in 2003. Two years later, he conquered the event and started his incredible Masters 1000 journey that saw him winning 36 titles. Coria defeated the 16-year-old Nadal in the Principality two years earlier. 

He gave his everything in the title clash two years later but finished as the runner-up despite producing a bagel in the third set. Two of the finest clay-courters pushed each other to the limits for over three hours despite three one-sided sets.

The young gun collected 14 points more than his rival after defending his second serve more efficiently. The Spaniard saved 11 of 16 break points, losing serve only two times outside the third set when he lost the ground. 

Guillermo played against 20 break points and suffered seven breaks, including the crucial one in the closing stages of the fourth set. They embraced over 80 rallies with…