Rafa's Clay Court Hat-tricks
As the European clay court season gets underway now is a good time to remind ourselves of Rafa's phenomenal achievements so far.
For the last three years he has gone from winning the Masters Series in Monte Carlo straight to Barcelona to win that. He has then gone back across to the Masters Series in Rome and won that (incidentally taking part in two of the longest ever finals) and then on to the Grand Slam at Roland Garros for his fourth title in not many more weeks. This would be impressive to do in just one year - no-one else had done so before him - but he has done it for the last three years.
We feel that this achievement is ludicrously underrated by the media. Here are the trophy pics as a reminder.
For the last three years he has gone from winning the Masters Series in Monte Carlo straight to Barcelona to win that. He has then gone back across to the Masters Series in Rome and won that (incidentally taking part in two of the longest ever finals) and then on to the Grand Slam at Roland Garros for his fourth title in not many more weeks. This would be impressive to do in just one year - no-one else had done so before him - but he has done it for the last three years.
We feel that this achievement is ludicrously underrated by the media. Here are the trophy pics as a reminder.
Monte Carlo
Barcelona
Rome
Roland Garros