Rafa takes Rome, ties Agassi for all-time Masters Series 1000 titles

A big "FUCK YEAH!" goes out to Rafael Nadal who defeated compatriot David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 to win his fifth Rome Masters title and tie Andre Agassi with the most ATP Masters 1000 shields with 17 total championships.

The 6-time Grand Slammer was asked about reaching the milestone and tying the tennis legend who won his last shield at the tender age of 34 in Cincinnati:

"I am 23 and sure 17 is a very important number for me. There are some tournaments coming up – Madrid is coming up soon – and so I'm going to try to keep winning, but these tournaments are very difficult and some of the best players in the world are there."

After going 11 months without a single title Rafa hit his fave surface and never looked back winning two consecutive Masters 1000s while being oh so smart about adjusting his schedule this year and adding in some much needed time off in between the tourneys i.e. skipping Barcelona. And according to Uncle Toni, the trend will most definitely continue.

Now onto Madrid in a week's time where the he'll will have the chance to break Agassi's record on his home turf in front of his people and take a nibble out of another trophy. Although if he breaks the record I think he should just swallow the whole damn thing. He deserves it, no?

Check out some highlights from the final:



[Photo(s): Reuters]