WATCH: Monfils wins Madrid crowd over with antics
Always a fan-favorite, Gael Monfils may not have won the match against Rafael Nadal but he won over the Madrid crowd.
After dropping the first set 6-3 to the defending champion, the Frenchman took advantage of his opponent’s bathroom break to get some coaching advice from members of the crowd.
Following his mid-match conversation with spectators, Monfils struck up a conversation on the ensuing changeover with chair umpire Mohammed Liani.
Despite the straight-set loss, Monfils’ brilliant shotmaking skills were on display inside the Caja Mágica. Just check out this crafty no-looking drop shot winner:
Ultimately though, nothing has been enough to stop Nadal on clay. The world No. 1 is seeking his third title in a row on clay having won Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
Nadal has since reached the quarterfinals in Madrid, breaking the record for most sets won in a row on any surface with 50.
