It is 15 years since Nadal's first title in Rome

It was May 8, 2005. 15 years ago. Rafael Nadal, insolent Spanish young man of 18 years long at the time who had just won in Costa de Sauipe, Acapulco, Montecarlo and Barcelona, ​​in addition to playing the final in Miami, lifted the first of his nine titles in Rome, fifth of that impressive season of his that culminated with 11 trophies, the best brand so far in his career in the same year. Before winning in the final, and what a final, Guillermo Coria, Nadal, fifth favorite, had eliminated Youzhny, Hanescu, Cañas, Stepanek and Ferrer.

The Balearic Islands impressed the entire world in a battle that culminated in the fifth set (at that time the Masters 1,000 were disputed to the best of five), after five hours and 14 minutes of tremendous spectacle on the beaten earth of the central of the Foro Italico. The result: 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6 and 7-6 (6). It was the record for the duration of a match in the tournament and also for the Masters Series. Nadal thus chained his 17th consecutive victory in that course.

“Rafa Nadal won a game, a tournament and tons of credit for Roland Garros,” wrote Jesús Mínguez at the beginning of his AS chronicle. Nadal succeeded in the track record that is now his coach, Carlos Moyá, who in turn had prolonged the Spanish success after the 2003 triumph of Félix Mantilla. Not even the blisters on his left hand prevented Nadal from achieving victory.

“Guillermo Coria has taken me to play the hardest game of my life. I have to thank the public for their support, because with the 3-0 against the fifth set I saw him lost. It was incredible,” said Rafa after the final. “Physically I am dusty, but a final like this does not appear every day and we must take advantage of it. I have faced one of the best players in the world on clay and I had to get my best shots,” continued the man from Manacor, who was attentive. to the success of another illustrious compatriot: “I had to go out on the track when Fernando Alonso still had five laps to go, so it took longer. I was nervous with the F-1.”