Why is Rafael Nadal SO bad at the Paris Masters? (Though Roger Federer isn’t much better)
RAFAEL NADAL has won almost everything in the game - except the Paris Masters.
The Spaniard, 33, has enjoyed an illustrious career where he has lifted 20 Grand Slam titles, four Davis Cups and an Olympics gold medal.
But the Paris Masters continues to be one tournament that alludes him.
He first entered the event in 2003 when he was dumped out in the qualifiers. It was to be the start of a miserable run.
Nadal did not compete in the next three years before he returned to reach the final in 2007. However, the Spaniard lost 6-4 6-0 to David Nalbandian.
Nadal lost in the quarter-finals in 2008 and the semis in 2009 - then did not play again until 2013.
But still he could not take the tournament. A semi-final loss in 2013 was followed by quarter-final defeats in 2015 and 2017.
It’s just one of two - the Miami Open is the other - ATP 1000 events that Nadal has failed to win.
The conditions are better suited to Roger Federer’s attacking game but even he has only won it once - in 2011.
It means from the 19 times the pair have entered Paris, they have only won it that one time.
Rafael Nadal record in Paris Masters
2003 - Out in qualifiers
2004 - Did not enter
2005 - Did not enter
2006 - Did not enter
2007 - Lost in final
2008 - Lost in quarter-final
2009 - Lost in semi-final
2010 - Did not enter
2011 - Did not enter
2012 - Did not enter
2013 - Lost in semi-final
2014 - Did not enter
2015 - Lost in quarter-final
2016 - Did not enter
2017 - Lost in quarter-final