Cabal/Farah look back on maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Rome: "Winning there was like getting the monkey off our back because we'd been coming up short"

With it being one for them where it all began and not only for the tennis but for Rome as a whole which they both admire.

"We had important moments at those events, but we came up short of winning," said Cabal to ATPTour.com.

"We love Rome,” Farah said. "We like going out and exploring the streets, slipping down an unknown alley, discovering hidden and unknown restaurants. We like walking and eating great food. We also play very well there. It suits us because we come into it in form at that point of the clay swing and Sebas and I are good on clay.”

"Rome is special for us," Cabal continued. "Even though we lost in the first round in the early years, we always played well there. Everything was in place for that to be the case. We love Italy. It's one of our favourite countries. Rome has a unique atmosphere and the venue is special, the courts are spectacular and they are always full. That makes it even more special.”

"Rome is where everything exploded. Winning there was like getting the monkey off our back because we'd been coming up short in those types of tournaments. We had already won ATP 250 and ATP 500 titles. We thought that we were ready to win any tournament. But it wasn't easy. And when we freed ourselves from that burden, we thought, 'Now we need a Grand Slam."