After failing to reached finals at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells and Miami, losing in the semifinals to Ivan Ljubicic and Andy Roddick respectively, Rafael Nadal's first title of the year came at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo, his sixth title in that event, and ending his 11-month title drought.
Then, two weeks later, Nadal won the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome title by defeating David Ferrer, to equal Andre Agassi's 17 ATP Masters 1000 shield.
Another two weeks later, Nadal won his record-breaking 18th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title by clinching the title in Madrid, defeating Roger Federer in the final. With that win, Nadal became the first player to win all three ATP Masters 1000 played on clay courts and sent message to his contemporaries that the King of Clay is back!
