Rafa Nadal v Guillermo Coria: Rome 2005 Final Classic Highlights

[@tennistv]

Is this the best Masters final in ATP history? If not, let us know which you think was...

[@arvindiyer6012]

One of the best ones for sure. But Madrid 2009 finals comes close, I think.

[@BananaProtocol]

Maybe Rome 2006 Nadal-Federer ? over 5 hours of an epic and grueling contest at the highest level, 2 dramatic match points saved by Nadal in the fifth set, 53th straight win for the Spaniard on clay thus equaling the record. It was also literally *THE* match which forced ATP to bring matches down to 3 sets.

[@SJ-di5zu]

It’s this one, or 2006 Rome, or 2009 Madrid. I’d give the edge to this one though.

[@leoxardisimo]

This match + Miami 2005 final + Tennis Master Cup 2005 final + Rome 2006 final are the best Masters finals in ATP history, for me.

[@theepicone3449]

Shanghai Masters Final 2005 - Federer vs Nalbandian - one of the greatest quality hard court matches ever played, and unbelievable drama at the end! Two of the finest ball-strikers playing at their peaks going toe to toe with aggressive all-court tennis! (but this one is also incredible in terms of physicality and intensity)

[@Luis33371]

Probably the best ATP match of all time

[@diegoferrer654]

I think te same.

[@patrickw9706]

I've been watching tennis for over more then 25 years. For me this one is the best, at least best clay court match.

[@jakovtatic7985]

Djokovic alcaraz lasr year at cinci was better for me

[@420benton2]

Shame Coria is almost forgotten about nowadays. His rivalry with Rafa was very competitive and they had some great matches.

[@blue_red_screen]

Well had he won that french open final he might have challenged Nadal's clay court supremacy

[@leoxardisimo]

Coria even BAGELED Nadal on clay!!

[@blue_red_screen]

@@leoxardisimo how many have done that? I think federer has but can't think of any others

[@dinkydoodle8325]

@@blue_red_screen gulbis almost did

[@leoxardisimo]

@@blue_red_screen From my memory: Federer, 2007 Hamburg Masters - Gaudio, 2004 Argentina Open and Coria, 2005 Montecarlo Masters.

[@jshdhjakdhsba2300]

Coria is so underated as a clay courter. One of the best ever. Definitely.

[@Masterdoctorgenius14]

But his career got a big hit when he couldn't achieve his goal. Serving for the match. 2 CPs to win the Roland Garros. Was never the same player after that. He challenged Nadal in 2005 but had he the mindset and confidence of a GS winner he would have challenged Nadal for more years.

[@SJ-di5zu]

It’s hard to put him as one of the best clay courters when he had such a short career and never won RG (choked in 2004). But by level, he probably was an all time great clay courter, his achievements don’t back it up though.

[@ta_2477]

I wish he said ‘only kidding!’ at the end.

[@0077delevadova]

Yes his clay court ability is amazing, but it was his mental strength that failed him in the big tournaments.

[@sup9542]

One of the best ever, not one of the greatest ever. Best to ever not win RG.

[@sun.p3820]

I want to say that it is the best tennis game I've seen in 20 years.

[@GiorgioMassignani]

I distinctively remember this was the first tennis match I have seen in my life. It aired on public TV since it was the Rome final, and I stared in awe for five full hours before going crazy with my friends in commenting the extraordinary rallies we had seen. Good times 😢

[@YeTism]

One of the greatest matches of all time

[@Vaisin]

One of the greatest M1000 matches in tennis history

[@Ttjam1]

Surely the jewel in the crown of Rome finals, or even Masters finals full stop! I had never seen this before - I knew Nadal had won, so when I saw Coria 3-0 double break up I assumed the rest was a choke, but he actually played phenomenally brave tennis until the very last point! The handing of the baton from one clay court king to another.

[@raffaelepers]

best match on clay in atp history

[@dr.uhrensohn]

Facts

[@VashTheStampede4K]

*I consider this final the best match of all times on clay court, a real masterpiece of tennis history.* Coria _El Mago_ was sublime here.

[@0077delevadova]

Little did anyone know that in the future Coria would never get a french open or any slam and Nadal would get 20+ slams and 13 and counting French open slams. Mind blowing. I think at the time both players were considered equally good. Nadals mental game and forehand would carry him forward. Coria's loss in the French open final the previous year did something to him.

[@FrankHor101]

It was Nadal's athleticism and strength, at that time u had to do a lot of great shots to win a game from Nadal

[@pfx6852]

Exactamente. Varios años después de su retiro, Coria dijo: aún lo veo jugar y siento que puedo ganarle. Los 2 mejores jugadores de polvo ladrillo de la historia y Nadal sabe bien que Coria fue su mejor contrincante en esta superficie y si ambos permanecían en competividad y progresando hubieran sido todos los duelos por diferencia de dos puntos.

[@kendallroy3]

Guillermo always had two major flaws that really showed in this match-one he came so close to winning, just by a hair. His lack of offensive play, the absence of aggression and finishing, his serve, and his failure to use the down-the-line backhand more often. Playing purely defensively wore him out physically, and that always worked against him. That’s why his matches always had such long rallies. But more than anything, Guillermo needed some serious time with a psychologist. He neglected the mental side of the game, and that’s what ultimately broke his career. Once you've mastered the tennis, it’s the mental preparation that gives you the gift card to win the Grand Slams.

[@MajorTom4]

Nadal and Coria are NOT equally good❌❌😭😭😭

[@0077delevadova]

@@MajorTom4 that was worded wrong, I said “in the end” I meant “at the time” they were equally good. Nadal is was superiorly better in every way 👍

[@marioalbertoungaretti4]

Sweet Jesus what an outstanding player Coria was. Shorter and lighter than the majority of his opponents and still managed to be ranked world number 3. This match along with 2004 RG final must have broken his mind. Thought 2005 was for him a pretty good season until the end, he just wouldn't find again the same form he had in 2003 and 2004. Such a shame, disappeared from the elite group right after mid 2006 and said goodbye to tennis too soon in 2009. We will never forget how easily he used to toy his opponents on clay, his amazing all court mobility and the delicate touch and feel on changing pace. Te extrañamos mucho Coria. 🎾🏆👏

[@IrishGuyReacts]

I remember watching this live. One of my all time favourite matches. I loved Coria. Such a shame what happened.

[@rajjvikram]

Coria the unfortunate champ..... He deserved at least one slam. What a fighter❤

[@McGradey]

One of the GOAT matches. Sad what happened to Coria, he was an amazing clay court player.

[@Nina-oi1qk]

18 year old Rafa was so confident; Amazing!! There has never been a teenager like him since.

[@thytoe]

Alcaraz?

[@willgregor4392]

carlos

[@gladiator0001]

@@willgregor4392rafa was far better

[@vaibhavsachan2527]

@@gladiator0001 Only on clay, Alcaraz is better overall

[@mysticnomad89]

@@vaibhavsachan2527 Young Carlos better than Young Rafa only on hard court. Rafa was miles ahead on and grass Court. Young Rafa defeated a prime Roger Federer in 2008 and took prime Roger Federer to a 5 setter in 2007 and a God level federer to a 4 setter in 2006. Carlos struggled to defeat a 36 year Old Novak in Wimbledon

[@MrCoDeYY]

The mental strength from Nadal at 18 is something to behold

[@bubufubu]

Mentally, he's the toughest guy on tour. It's been amazing to watch him hold that spot for the better part of 18 years.

[@serenaistheb.o.a.t]

@@bubufubu I think since 2015 Djokovic has been the mental toughness king on tour.

[@littlesunshine2378]

@@serenaistheb.o.a.t Nadal's intensity at every point is unmatched.Djokovic usually shows mental strength at match points but for Nadal it every point.

[@bubufubu]

@@serenaistheb.o.a.t Djokovic wishes he had Nadal's mental strength level. No one fights like Nadal. No one.

[@bubufubu]

@@littlesunshine2378 Boom.

[@glory2christcmj702]

This and the 2006 final between Nadal and Federer are outstanding matches

[@Perebynis]

Sad that Coria ended his career so early. He was the greatest clay courter I had ever seen before Nadal appeared on the scene. He would have had an epic rivalry with Rafa.

[@sashoksashok8108]

Ferrero was better

[@Flaeren]

at his own peak, he was barely able to cope with an 18 year-old nadal. he'd put up a good fight time to time, but no way he'd make better than federer or djokovic did against nadal.

[@rolib6108]

@@EduDiniz23 he forgot how to serve. He had some mental breakdowns before the end of his career. At least thats what my coach told me

[@justinjerrylee1659]

@@rolib6108 he didn't "forget" how to server, he had mental issues that caused him to not be able to serve and hit balls properly in general. It is truly a shame that one match cost not only his career, but potentially the greatest rivalry in tennis history, the 2 clay court kings

[@rolib6108]

@@justinjerrylee1659 yea so he basically forgot how to play tennis, as I said

[@juanchodagama3614]

Colosal batle between two gladiators.ive never seen a player pushing nadal to this limit during his peak years.the defensive and fitness skils both showed were unreal to say the least.i wil always remember that brutal neck to neck encounter.

[@nahuelcrocce9067]

El mejor partido de tierra batida , el mago que maquina, lo diste todo , siempre quedara tu gran tenis genio . por coria fue que empecé a ver tenis a los 9 años siempre seras un jugador especial para mi y por el cual llegue a ver este deporte que amo.

[@adrenocromo3385]

FANTASTICO EL MAGO IRRENPLASABLE COMO FALTA ALGUIEN ASI HOY EN EL CIRCUITO------

[@geschmackj209]

18 years old Nadal was still FAR better than today's Next Gen

[@Blinkncali21]

Do you think 18 year old Nadal could wear down 34 year old Nadal?

[@adam9160]

@@Blinkncali21 yes

[@thekelvinproductionlore]

@@Blinkncali21 Yes. 18 year old Rafa vs 35 year old Rafa would be endless

[@Blinkncali21]

@@thekelvinproductionlore but couldn't you make the argument that 35 year old Nadal might be able to hit 18 year old Nadal off the court, he stands so much closer now and hits the ball harder?

[@rayyanabdur-rehman5263]

@@Blinkncali21 he stands closer yes, but he does not hit the ball nearly as hard.

[@shlime7740]

Coria was really mis understood everybody says he counter punches and doesn’t do anything. He plays good from everywhere on the court and his touch and tennis iq is one of the best of all. time. His serve was the only down side he works the point amazi and aggressive

[@fallendevonish1869]

Not to mention he was willing to serve and volley more than other clay courters at the time

[@humanentity2214]

If he had won the French open against fellow Argentine Gaudio, things would have been different.

[@jakehuang3545]

yes the serve was his weakness but considering that he's only 5'9 theres only so much he can do. one wonders what might have happened if he had nadal's height...

[@iceman1125]

beautiful player to watch

[@chuckersthenut2097]

He was the aggressor 95% of the rallies in this match IMO. When Nadal is on offense it is usually after a great defensive shot.

[@nathan2497]

Amazing match takes you back and Coria around this time was an amazing player was very talented he was competitive with Nadal in that period

[@danieletammurello7177]

I was there. What a match!

[@nico0770]

La mejor final en polvo de ladrillo que vi, partidazo legendario de los dos, unas bestias Rafa a sus 18 ya proyectaba la bestia que iba a ser

[@germanescobio6893]

Uno de los mejores partidos de las finales de todos los tiempos Los mejores en Ladrillo Lejos!!!!

[@scores11]

Legenadary! How Nadal kept fighting and took the 5th set it's unreal.

[@aemv.matheusloureiro]

What a warriors!!!! Unbelievable!!!!

[@veritasfiliatemporis387]

THIS MATCH WAS INSANE, TILL THE LAST POINT!

[@lazyworkaholic7011]

I swear I read Nadal vs. Corona at first 😁 Would be a good match up tho, Nadal would smash the virus at Roland Garros in 3 straight sets!

[@angelandresinfante4791]

And this was the first game i saw from this GOAT

[@НаильМагжанов-ю1б]

Блестящее возвращение Рафы в 5 сете!!! Кориа реально отличный грунтовый теннисист был, жаль что так рано закончил карьеру..

[@aemv.matheusloureiro]

There are no free points from both sides!!! Unbelievable!!! Thanks Nadal and Coria!!!

[@laureanoalfaro9351]

What a game...I think that it was really important for both for the rest of their carreers but with exactly the opposite outcome. Nadal obtained the full confidence on his game, specially in his dominance in clay and Coria after this game, the RG final and another incredible Final with Nadal + an injury never regain his head and went downhill. But this jewell must be more recognized, a perfect final.

[@spleeeen4it]

greatest clay court match ever

[@bigrobsydney]

Great match, and equally, great atmosphere. Really enjoyed watching that, thank you so much.

[@TheKuacker]

Arguably the best clay court match of all times

[@НикитаБойков-ы1к]

One of the best atp masters finals. If not the best

[@AnCaliban]

Simply the best final I've ever seen

[@dariohernansalicelarrosa2549]

If Coria had in his prime more head, he could be one of the best player on clay. After nadal, kuerten, borg and Vilas he could be...with a little more head.

[@reneoaa885]

There is more clay players before Coria, like Moyá, Ríos, Costa and others.

[@sup9542]

​@@reneoaa885 Djokovic and Federer. I'd put them both ahead of Kuerten in terms of clay ability. That said, Coria was hitting shots here that I haven't seen Djokovic or Federer or anyone but Nadal be able to hit, which is insane. He's one of the fastest players ever but no one mentions him in that list.

[@juanluna6785]

A fantastic final back when those tournaments were best of 5 sets ..

[@guillermoariaslira8442]

El mejor partido de tenis por ambas partes!

[@gnnrgmlng8327]

I still remember watch this match.. it started (Indonesian time) approximately 12 PM until 5:50 AM and i have to go to school at 6:30 AM. THANK GOD Rafa lift the trophy!!

[@bwembyamwamba1737]

This would have been the best clay court rivalry without a doubt

[@Gornorudnik]

Best Clay Court Match Ever! Rome 2006 and RG 2013 are in top 3

[@victoriog]

RG 2004 too

[@Masterdoctorgenius14]

Think things would have been quite different when Coria didn't choke the RG final in 2004. Nadal would have had some real competition on clay. All the confidence was gone by Coria.

[@Masterdoctorgenius14]

@zakaria djouzi Nole didn't arrive till 2011. Murray beat Nadal on clay when he was in a slump. Federer had mental problems. The rest you mentioned wer crap at that time. Wawrinka became a man after 2013.

[@juanestebankruhsanmguel1960]

@@Masterdoctorgenius14 peak federer from 2005-2007 was better than coria from 2004

[@hulssero11]

Coria was beast and only Nadal look better than him on clay.That final in RG had destroyed him as a player

[@hernanbusso1609]

@@adriantroickic8477 Nadal finished the year #2, won RG, Montecarlo, Roma, Madrid, and Montreal. Even the year before he had already beaten Federer on HC. His age is irrelevant, he was a beast. Becker won Wimbledon at 17, some players are early bloomers.

[@iceman1125]

@@adriantroickic8477 teen nadal is prime nadal

[@CK-iv1lq]

We need best-of-five Masters finals back.

[@jeremieyvars3235]

Good thing that Rafa's tennis improved over the years. In that match it seems to me that he is only focusing on hitting the ball harder than coria. Sometimes he hits a dropshot when his opponent is pushed well behind his baseline.

[@Lcxruns]

U can literally see lighting change as the match goes on towsrds end...shows how long it took

[@masters.1000]

Good old times...

[@22dovizioso]

The last set was unbelievable

[@isaiestradameza2022]

Era un crack Coria !!! Es la razón por la que comencé a ver el tenis ❤

[@nviewroyroyce]

Miss those best of five set matches

[@eleazar91]

La ultima vez que se vio al mago en su mejor nivel. Una lastima como luego de esta derrota, junto con la previa final de RG, su carrera se vino abajo. Simplemente no se pudo sobreponer a los duros hechos...

[@giulian2992]

Coria was good, a true inspiration for Cilic on lead management

[@patrickw9706]

Thus may well be the best clay court match ever.

[@trevisrobotie924]

mamma mia che partita!!! bellissima e bravissimi tutt'e due.

[@ayankeshwani6667]

Rada has been a matador since he came into the world!!!! Unbelievable Match!!!! Vamos Rafa!!!! Idemooo Nole!!!!

[@rt0935]

This rivalry between Rafa and Novak needs more respectful fans like you.

[@oliveolive1674]

Guillermo coria maybe the second best player on clay evr after rafa

[@manjindersinghvirdi7592]

I seen that marvelous final live 2005 brilliant game from both player

[@hulssero11]

Best clay match in history of tennis

[@Menameislove]

Miss those old days when serves weren't this big and points won by a rally.

[@jaisygeorgr9845]

What a classic .yet forgotten by many . And to face A young Nadal and to return and play the game even matching many ground to end shots are unrealistically overwhelming to watch

[@dariohernansalicelarrosa2549]

Nadal saldrá about this match: was one of the best matches he had. Amazing coria vs Amazing Nadal.

[@kastpazylibertad9072]

el inicio de la leyenda Nadal y el termino de un gran jugador como Coria que se retiró muy joven al no poder superar el trauma de haber perdido un año antes roland garros

[@anujbeatles]

WOW. What an absolute CLASSIC that was..

[@mauriciopazminocarlo3375]

Cómo hace falta este nivel en la selección Argentina. :'(

[@jayap3557]

Goodness... how can anyone hate/dislike/belittle Rafa's game...his celebration of his point to point successes on court...his end-game drop on the court's floor... here he does a back bender... like a little child... childlike for ever... cant believe that this boy has gone past the thirties... n there are so many tennis players... big 3 big 4... but no one comes close to his brand of super tennis...

[@anseinueseima408]

This took place two weeks before Nadal won his first Grandslam

[@diegors6603]

This is one of the best finals of all times. Pure tennis is played in CLAY. If you want to see boring aces tennis, go to watch Isner-Anderson at Wimbledon.

[@dylanleff373]

why you gotta bash other players?

[@0077delevadova]

6:22 Wow what a point. Nadal is a Jedi!

[@chuckersthenut2097]

My vote for frostiest handshake at the net. Going to war for over five hours I give coria a pass. He could have won this one. Feel like this is the French open final match we never got.

[@luisrodriguezarregui3700]

Rafa en sus inicios ya cautivaba a la aficio'n por su entrega y celebracio'n por cada punto ganado....😎

[@travisbickle5279]

Coria was amazing like the legendary tennis giant david nalbandian

[@juanestebankruhsanmguel1960]

god? and only 2 master 1000,even weak era mug like roddick has more titles

[@krogdog]

@@juanestebankruhsanmguel1960 if you look into his career a bit more you will see that Nalbandian had the talent to go toe-to-toe with Fed/Rafa/Novak. He didn’t have the same drive and ambition as they did however.

[@luilo7848]

Coria mocking Nadal's celebration at 11:18 😂

[@rok99100]

If you can’t win after playing like that against Rafa on clay,maybe you just shouldn’t….man what a match…

[@braddakimo1954]

One of the best Nadal wins. One of the best Tennis announcers of all times!! This guy and Jim McKay 👍👍

[@braddakimo1954]

John Barrett was announcer, sorry John 👍

[@kevintrovador]

Coria jugaba increible, parecía que volaba en la cancha, lo hacía tan facil que a veces se confiaba como aquí 26:26, y eso le costó muchos partidos, entre ellos la final con Gaudio.

[@rub1516]

Solo Nadal puede devolverte esa paralela. No se la esperaba el mago.

[@cesareltraviezo9882]

@@rub1516 Nole tbn puede devolverle esa paralela

[@brentkahue345]

The best clay court match in history!

[@romanjauregi5351]

What a match. What players. Gracias a ambos jugadores por este partido tan impresionante.

[@SuAlC90]

i miss that bof 5 battles in the finals of 1000 and 500er tournaments. Good old times

[@Mike-sg6de]

Nadal 's forehand was so strong at this time

[@balkangringo4799]

With a killer mentality Coria could have been a several FO winner

[@michaelneves1371]

Amazing match by both guys. 👋👋

[@muchogato1]

De infarto, grandísimo el Argentino, a nivel de los más grandes. Enhorabuena Nadal

[@ElMatadorRafaelNadal]

🙌 NADAL, CORIA, GAUDIO ➜➜➜ The Best Clay Players !!!

[@humanentity2214]

Gaudio? I don't think so. Thomas Muster and Gustavo Kiersten, yes.

[@juanestebankruhsanmguel1960]

@@jjfutbol11 ferrero o ferrer?

[@juanestebankruhsanmguel1960]

@@jjfutbol11 ok

[@ElMatadorRafaelNadal]

@NACXIIXGG Falso campeón? OK, supondiendo que te doy la razón, hubiera sido subcampeón de Roland Garros.. y ni así estarías de acuerdo conmigo. El Gato no sólo contaba con el mejor revés del mundo, sino con una mano para los drops y los globos envidiable!

[@ElMatadorRafaelNadal]

@@humanentity2214 El Gato no sólo contaba con el mejor revés(backhand) del mundo, sino con un talento para los drops y los globos(lobs) envidiable!

[@gustavo51354c]

El mejor partido de la historia del polvo de ladrillo

[@e2go]

Those saying Coria was the second best clay court player ever are insane. Both Federer and Djokovic smacked him around twice each and never lost to him on clay. He was a good player, very fast, great returner, but he wasn't at that level. Those two alone would have ate his lunch day in and day out on clay and not thought twice about it, let alone Nadal. What's crazy is that Coria has been retired for 11 years now, and he's four months younger than Federer.

[@Romans8-9]

Dont know who are saying that but in his prime 03-05 his clay results were the best. Indeed he went on a 31 match win streak on clay.

[@mysticnomad89]

The Warrior like Spirit, willing to die attitude and Heroism in Nadal is unmatched by anyone

[@Nadalista]

Can we have the full match please?

[@pratheekbm8992]

The birth of a clay God! Rafa ❤️

[@jmljml9140]

Coria was amazing

[@rayonlaser2213]

That match was the end of Coria, and the rise of the King of Clay, Nadal.

[@elbatipibe111]

26:30 the moment

[@AlexIsUber]

This was Nadal at 19 years old. Beast

[@damohanson5393]

That get in the 4th set at 10:30 was other worldly. This match was at the start of the tennis world realizing how lightning quick Nadal was( sorry he slowed around 2014) and what a force he was to become. His early Davis Cup gave us a pretty good look also . Andy Roddick can attest to Rafa’s prowess on clay. We’ll never see another in our life time. I do feel he has one or two French aOpens yet to win. As classy an athlete that ever played! PS Coria was a hell of a player but he got the serving yips. He had a 2 set to zero lead in the French Open final and literally choked it away. Really, hate to say it but it happened. He just faded away. To this day Rafa says that Rome final was his hardest match ever. Last observation: if the Masters 1000’s had stayed at best of 5 I guarantee Rafa would have a few more. Coulda, woulda, shoulda all day. I’m blessed to have taken an interest to a handsome, long haired, long shorts tennis icon one Sunday morning when he played Puerta in the final. He’d deafeated Roger the semifinals.Got up at 3:15 am Midwest time to watch the 2012 Australian final. My wife awoke and couldn’t believe the match was still in progress. As a Nadal fan that 5 th set 5 th game crushed me(at the time) but have since to consider it one of my favorite matches ever. 2015 semi at Paris is right there and the 2021 first 3 sets there also. After deliberating for a long time I pronounce Novak and Rafa co- goats. Masters 1000’s virtually even , same with slams . Rafa crushed at AO and Novak crushed at RG. Although Rafa has never been bageled in the slam events. Twilight of his career love to see one more French title against his greatest rival Djokovic. Their slam final head to head is 5-5 Master 1000’s titles 37-36 After 15-17 years that’s about as close can be. Mutual respect! I think deep in his mind he believes Rafa can defeat him but would never show it. I think deep down Rafa thinks many can beat him but there’s also a belief Nole is better between the two. My only conclusion: Co- GOATS. !!!

[@romcallis]

Strange that Coria is long retired but his brother is currently on tour...must be a big age difference

[@salahdrwish8538]

Rafa🌹