Nadal’s Victories Against Coria and Federer Stand Out as His Top Rome Memories

Rafael Nadal, the King of Clay, reminisced about his iconic victories at the Rome Masters in a recent press conference. Despite winning the tournament a record 10 times, Nadal revealed that his first two victories hold a special place in his heart.

In 2005, Nadal defeated Guillermo Coria in a thrilling five-set match, followed by a memorable victory over Roger Federer in 2006, where he saved two match points. These wins, according to Nadal, are the ones that stand out the most in his memory.

Nadal reflected on the emotional rollercoaster of his matches, particularly recalling the intense battle against Coria where he was losing 3-0 in the fifth set. The support of the crowd and the electrifying atmosphere made it a match to remember for the Spanish tennis legend.

While Nadal has dominated the clay courts of Rome and other Masters 1000 events, he expressed a longing for the five-set finals that are now a thing of the past. He believes that the longer format added an extra layer of drama and emotion to the matches, creating unforgettable moments in tennis history.

As Nadal prepares to compete in this year’s Rome Masters, he looks back on his past triumphs with fondness and gratitude, cherishing the memories of his early victories that shaped his legendary career.