Rafa Nadal's absurd 32-year tennis history with Indian Wells win
Rafa Nadal has created tennis history after becoming the first male player to win 400 ATP Masters 1000 matches after his Indian Wells Round of 32 victory.
Nadal continued his incredible start to the 2022 season after defeating British star Dan Evans 7-5, 6-3 to set-up a Round of 16 match-up with either Denis Shapovalov or Reilly Opelka.
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However, the win created a further slice of history for the irrepressible Spaniard.
Nadal's Indian Wells win brought up his 400th Masters 1000 win on Tour level for the World No.4.
He becomes the first male player to reach 400 wins on Tour level since the series started in 1990.
Second on the list is long-time opponents Roger Federer with 381 and Novak Djokovic with 374.
Remarkably, Nadal's first ever Masters 1000 win came back in 2003 at the age of 16 at Monte Carlo.
The win also extended Nadal's record for 2022 to 17-0, his best ever start to a season at the age of 35.
17-0 🤟@RafaelNadal stays unbeaten this season with a 7-5 6-3 win over Evans!
He awaits Shapovalov or Opelka in R4!#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/3w2cgcFPk7— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 14, 2022
Three-time @BNPParibasOpen champion @RafaelNadal earns 400th #ATPMasters1000 win by beating Daniel Evans 7-5 6-3 in #IndianWells 3R.
Nadal leads all players in #ATP Masters 1000 wins since the series started in 1990. @RogerFederer is 2nd with 381 and @DjokerNole is 3rd with 374.— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) March 14, 2022
Tennis world reacts to Rafa Nadal record
Nadal was nonchalant after the historic moment after he brought up his 400th Masters 1000 victory.
However, the tennis world was quick to react to more history being made from the mercurial spaniard.
In a league of his own 😤#IndianWells | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/uQb6Oriz50
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 14, 2022
Unlocking a new chapter of greatness 🔓#IndianWells | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/1aZjBtwu6O
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 14, 2022
Come on a new record!
By beating Dan Evans in 2 sets, Rafael Nadal has claimed his 💥 400th Masters 1000 level victory 💥
No one did better since 1990. pic.twitter.com/tcYe1GRdBK— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) March 14, 2022
Most Masters 1000 Wins
1 Rafael #Nadal 400
2 Roger Federer 381
3 Novak Djokovic 374
4 Andy Murray 219
5 Andre Agassi 209
6 Tomas Berdych 191
7 Pete Sampras 190
8 David Ferrer 189
9 Andy Roddick 157
10 Stan Wawrinka 155 pic.twitter.com/yxBahFpYfx— Giorgio Spalluto (@GeorgeSpalluto) March 14, 2022
17-0.
Rafael Nadal comes back from a break down in the first set and beats Daniel Evans 7-5, 6-3 to reach the last 16 in Indian Wells.
He awaits Denis Shapovalov or Reilly Opelka on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/O3HXhmXnMw— José Morgado (@josemorgado) March 14, 2022
Rafael Nadal 7-5 6-3 over Dan Evans in the round-of-32 in Indian Wells
Still undefeated in 2022 at 17-0.
Shapovalov or Opelka in the round of 16#getty pic.twitter.com/YuThINKWXb— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) March 14, 2022
Unfortunately, Nadal has already announced he would miss the upcoming Miami Open in order to give his body a rest ahead of the clay court season.
Fans were left stunned earlier in the tournament when Nadal announced that he won't be playing in Miami - the second half of the 'Sunshine Double' after Indian Wells.
Nadal is a five-time finalist at the event, but hasn’t played in Miami since 2017.
His absence means that neither of the winners of this year’s first grand slam event will be at the tournament after women’s champion Ash Barty also withdrew earlier this month.
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