Youngest Champions in Monte Carlo Masters History

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Top 5 Youngest Men’s Singles Champions in Monte Carlo Masters History

Winning an ATP Masters 1000 tournament is a big achievement for any tennis player. These tournaments are just below the Grand Slams and only top-ranked players can take part. The Monte Carlo Masters is one of the oldest tournaments in this category, and winning it at a young age shows how talented and strong a player is.

Let’s take a look at the five youngest players who have won the Monte Carlo Masters in men’s singles.

1. Mats Wilander – 18 years and 7 months

In 1982, Sweden’s Mats Wilander won the Monte Carlo Masters when he was only 18 years and 7 months old. He became the youngest champion in the tournament’s history. In the final, he defeated America’s Mel Purcell in straight sets: 6-1, 6-2, 6-3. Wilander won his second title here in 1987 by beating Jimmy Arias. That time he lost the first set but came back strong to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-3.

2. Rafael Nadal – 18 years and 10 months

Rafael Nadal won his first Monte Carlo title in 2005 when he was just 18 years and 10 months old. This made him the youngest champion after Wilander. This was only the beginning for Nadal. He went on to win the tournament ten more times. His wins came in 2005-2012 and then again in 2016, 2017, and 2018. During this time, he defeated big players like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the finals.

3. Alberto Mancini – 19 years and 11 months

Argentina’s Alberto Mancini became champion in 1989 when he was 19 years and 11 months old. He was the 14th seed in the tournament. In the final, he faced Boris Becker and won in four sets: 7-5, 2-6, 7-6, 7-5. Even though he never won this tournament again, Mancini reached the finals in Rome and Miami later in his career.

4. Sergi Bruguera – 20 years and 3 months

Spain’s Sergi Bruguera won the Monte Carlo Masters in 1991 at the age of 20 years and 3 months. This made him the first Spanish champion after Manuel Orantes in 1975. In the final, he faced Boris Becker. Even though Bruguera lost the first set, he came back and won the match in four sets: 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(6), 7-6(4). He won the tournament again in 1993 by beating Cedric Pioline.

5. Bjorn Borg – 20 years and 10 months

Sweden’s Bjorn Borg won his first Monte Carlo title in 1977 when he was 20 years and 10 months old. That year, he beat Italy’s Corrado Barazzutti in the final in straight sets: 6-3, 7-5, 6-0. Later, he won the tournament again in 1979 and 1980. In 1979, he beat Vitas Gerulaitis, and in 1980, he defeated Guillermo Vilas. Interestingly, Borg had reached the Monte Carlo final way back in 1973 when he was just 16. However, he lost that match to Ilie Nastase.

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