Rafael Nadal’s victory in 2005: the first of a historic dozen | ATP Tour

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Nadal’s victory in 2005: the first of a historic dozen in Barcelona

Nadal won his first Count Trophy of Godó 20 years ago in Barcelona

April 13, 2025

“It is not normal for so many games.” Rafael Nadal was barely a teenager, but his career was already beginning to predict that his would not be the career of a common player, although he insisted on reducing euphoria. Both his electric game, huge charisma and the results gave symptoms that his name could be, years later, among the greatest of this sport. But there was still a lot for that.

The Spanish landed in Barcelona on April 18, 2005, one day after premiering its record with its first ATP Masters 1000 crown. It was the icing on a start of the season in which the titles in Costa Do Sauipe, Acapulco, as well as in the Principality, in addition to playing one more final in Miami.

The 30-6 matches record had allowed him to make the leap from No. 51 of the PIF ATP Rankings with which the world began. His only previous experience in 2003, then with 16 years, had resulted in a victory against Juan Antonio Marín 6-0 (RET) and a defeat against Alex Corretja in the second round (6-3, 2-6, 1-6).

In 2005 the decoration was different. His 18 years did not endorse too many flight hours on the track, but promised enough enthusiasm, hunger and ambition to be a candidate for the crown. Above all, after having started a week in Montecarlo a streak of victories in whipped land that would eventually raise up to 81.

“At any time you can change the streak. Although I am playing well, surely bad moments will come,” he hastened to comment before debuting. Nadal, eighth head of the series, was part of a painting where other surface specialists such as his compatriots Carlos Moyá (Favorite No. 3) and Tommy Robredo (No. 6) or the Argentines Gastón Gaudio (No. 2), Guillermo Coria (No. 4) or Guillermo Cañas (No. 5).

Free to play the first round for his favorite status, he opened his way directly in the second round in front of Gilles Muller, clearing any questions 6-0, 6-2 in just 52 minutes. In Third Ronda he repeated exhibition against Dominik Hrbaty 6-1, 6-2 and in the quarterfinals he had only delivered two games, when Agustín Calleri retired with 6-2, 3-0 (RET). Nor Radek Stepanek was able to snatch a set in the hour and 20 minutes that the semifinal lasted (7-5, 6-2).

“The goal I had at the beginning of the season I have already achieved, although nothing else wins. But the objectives are changing. Maybe now it will be more demanded. What I will try will be to go to the track with humility and give the maximum,” Nadal confessed before knowing that at the end of the week a hole in the top 10 would be won.

His great moment, therefore, would be tested in the last round in front of the old No. 1 of the world and champion of the tournament in 2001, Juan Carlos Ferrero. In the final-then the best of five sets was played-Nadal maintained its solidity for two hours and 56 minutes to close the 6-1 victory, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

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Nadal hits the right in Barcelona Open 2025. Photo: Cesar Rangel/AFP via Getty Images

Nadal became the youngest Spanish to access Top 10, after conquering his first title in Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell and the youngest player to achieve it at the ATP Tour since Andrei Medvedev had done so in 1983.

“I have always talked about the Top 10 and now I am one of them. Total, from 51 (position in which the year started) to 7, only one number goes. What I try is to have fun on the track,” he said after the tournament. “I have always prepared to the fullest. I work with humility and I have greatly improved my tennis. The important thing is not to be content with what you have, but always want more.”

That record of precocity in the elite of the ATP Tour remained unbreakable until April 23, 2022, when his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, at the same age (18 years) and in the same place, managed to break between the top ten in the world. Precisely, from the Murcian bench carefully watched his Ferrero steps, which in 2025 will accompany him in this edition in search of his third title.

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20 years ago, Nadal made his first leap to the pool of the Real Club de Tennis Barcelona-1899 as champion. He, then, did not know, but the mythical stamp of the majestic Trophy Count of Godó on his head would be repeated again in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021 until he added a historic dozen.

His wake will endure forever at Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. This year will be the first without its active racket, but its name will continue to present one more season on the Central Track Rafa Nadal.