OLD WINE: Rafael Nadal Breaks Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic’s Record, Attains an Intriguing Feat at Italian Open

World No.3 Rafael Nadal recently reached the finals of the Italian Open 2021. The Spaniard crushed Reilly Opelka in the semi-finals of the tournament in straight sets to seal his spot in the finale. Rafa delivered some really brilliant forehands and completely dominated the entire match. The final scoreline of the match was 6-4, 6-4.

With this victory over Reilly Opelka, Rafael Nadal will play his 12th Italian Open finale tomorrow against either Novak Djokovic or Lorenzo Sonego. He has also made a record with this win. At the age of 34 years and 346 days, Rafa became the oldest player ever to reach the finals of the Rome Masters.

Before this, Roger Federer was the oldest finalist at the age of 33 years and 273 days. It happened in 2015 where he didn’t play well as Novak Djokovic thrashed him in straight sets back then.

Interestingly, Nadal is also the fifth-youngest player to play the Italian Open finals. He did it way back in 2005 where he also emerged as the winner of the tournament. It was the first time he won the title in Rome.

Rafa has already won the Rome Masters title on nine occasions. If he wins the finals tomorrow, he’ll become the only player to win the Masters 1000 tournament 10 times.

Rafael Nadal attains another incredible feat after defeating Reilly Opelka at the Italian Open 2021

It looks as if Rafa doesn’t chase records but records chase him. With his triumph over Opelka, he now has 397 victories in the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. He was already ahead of Roger Federer- who is at the second spot with 381 wins but now has managed to widen the margin.

World No.1 Novak Djokovic is at the third position with 369 wins in the Masters’ tournaments so far. 3-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray is behind the ‘Big Three’ but he is way back on the list with just 215 victories.

Nadal right now has 35 ATP Masters tournaments to his name while Djokovic has 36. Thus, it is a golden opportunity for the Spaniard to level the Serbian’s record this time by winning the Italian Open 2021.

Fans are really excited for the finals as they’ll get to watch a Rafa-Djoker match after the French Open 2020 finals. Will Nadal be able to conquer Rome for the tenth time this year?

Also Read: Rafael Nadal Equals Roger Federer in a Unique Record After Beating Alexander Zverev at Italian Open 2021