King Rafael Nadal returns at Rome

The most successful player in tournament history is seven-time champion Rafael Nadal, who owns a 47-4 career record. He has reached the final in six of the past seven years and nine overall in 11 visits.


Last year his streak of six straight finals ended when he fell to Wawrinka in the quarter-finals. He won titles in 2005-07, ’09-10, ’12-13 and was runner-up in 2011 and ‘14. The only other time he didn’t reach the final was in 2008 (l. to Ferrero in 2R). Nadal is trying to win a fourth different tournament at least eight times. He’s won Barcelona, Monte-Carlo and Roland Garros nine times.

Rafa on Clay: Nadal, who has won at least two European ATP World Tour clay court titles coming into Roland Garros in 10 of the past 12 years (2005-13, ‘16), is putting together a solid season on clay. The 29-year-old Spaniard is 13-1 on European clay courts this season. If he wins Rome, it will be the ninth time in his career he’s won three European clay court titles leading into Roland Garros.