Rafa Nadal is the fourth man to reach 1,000 wins

(CNN) – Rafael Nadal’s achievement of becoming the fourth man to record 1,000 ATP Tour game wins should have been celebrated with thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

Instead, after beating Feliciano López to reach the exclusive club, Nadal remained to celebrate almost in silence in an empty 20,000-seat stadium in Paris, given the absence of spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 34-year-old Spaniard has joined Jimmy Connors (1,274), Roger Federer (1,242) and Ivan Lendl (1,068) as the only men in the 1,000-win club since the Open Era began in 1968 following their 4-6 comeback -6 (7-5) 6-4 win in his first match at the Paris Masters.

“[Ganar 1.000 partidos] it means I’m old. This means that I have been playing well for a long time, because reaching that number is because I have been playing well for many years and [eso] it’s something that makes me feel happy, “said Nadal.

“I can only thank all the people who have helped me. And to all the people who in any moment of my life have helped me to be where I am ».

Thanks also to @FFTennis https://t.co/pRTzYdoBCb

– Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) November 4, 2020

Rafael Nadal’s first victory

Nadal’s first ATP victory came when he was 15. He beat Ramón Delgado, a Paraguayan ranked 81st in the world, in a first round match at the Mallorca Open in 2002. That win earned him 15 ATP Ranking points and a check for US $ 5,850.

Eighteen years and nearly $ 122 million in prize money after Nadal is one of the most successful tennis players in history.

Last month at the French Open, he equaled Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam wins.

Nadal’s first round match was his first since winning his record 13th title at Roland Garros.

LOOK: Letter from Federer to Nadal after the 20th Spanish title in Grand Slam tournaments

“I started the game in the worst possible way, especially against a great server like Feli,” said Nadal. “After that, I played a lot of pressure for the rest of the game, but I found a way.

“This is the main thing … This victory is one of which I am very proud. Personal satisfaction is sometimes greater when you win these matches than if you go on the pitch and win 6-3 6-3 «.

Nadal will face Jordan Thompson in the next round, after the Australian beat Borna Coric 2-6 6-4 6-2.

Despite having so much success in the French capital on clay courts, Nadal aims to win his first Paris Masters title.