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.

THIS WEEK ON TENNIS CHANNEL PLUS:

ATP Madrid (5/7-5/13)

-Tennis Channel Plus features five courts of live action from the Mutua Madrid Open beginning Sunday, May 6 at 6:30am ET!