Monte Carlo: Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal, who claimed his ninth Monte Carlo Masters title with his victory over Frenchman Gael Monfils, said he "needed" the victory to "confirm my positive feelings" about competing this year.

"I was waiting for such a victory. I think we have worked hard to regain positive feelings, feeling that we felt from beginning of the year, but we needed a victory to confirm," Nadal said in remarks after the final.