Discover the glamour and excitement of the Monte Carlo Masters, one of the most prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tournaments on the tennis calendar.
Monte Carlo is in the map for a variety of reasons; being a world-class casino, the world’s second smallest nation and the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters. Ever since 1987, the principality is home to one of the most prestigious and highly acclaimed tennis tournaments around the world; the Monte Carlo Masters, part of the ATP Masters 1000. The setting is nothing short of ideal; the court sits scarce meters away from the coastline, often drenched in the mediterranean sun and accompanied by weekly events such as the Monte Carlo Player’s Party.
The conditions of the tournament are quite intricate, with matches being played on a clay court which is contrastingly slower to grass or hard courts. This requires much more skill and control, creating the ideal conditions to truly narrow down the world’s best players.
Despite the lavishness that accompanies the tournament, the focus is, and always has been, the tennis itself. The sport’s greatest names have stepped on the court in Monte Carlo, to the point where Rafael Nadal even has a room in Monte Carlo Bay Hotel Resort named after him – with a sea view, obviously.
What Happened in the 2023 Edition
As expected, Novak Djokovic headlined the Monaco Grand Masters with a tricky win against Ivan Gakhov. Djokovic, who has not participated in quite a few tennis tournaments as of recently due to a Covid-19 controversy, lost the first first round only to turn around the match with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-2. As for the Brits, surprise came along when Dan Evans and Jack Draper were knocked out of the competition by Ilya Ivashka and Hubert Hurkacz.
The real deal however was Andrey Rublev, becoming a Masters 1.000, with a victory was proclaimed over Holger Rune. It took him 2 hours and 36 minutes, and at 25 years of age is his greatest sports achievement in the ATP tournament. This sums quite a chunk of points to the tennis player’s ranking, as these are assigned as follows:
- Title: 1000 points
- Final: 600 points
- Semi-final: 360 points
- Quarter-final: 180 points
- Round of 16: 90 points
- 2nd round: 45 points
- 1st round: 10 points
As for the remainder of the month, the ATP tour will be now heading over to Barcelona, Munich and Banja Luka before its next Masters 1000 in the Mutua Madrid Open at the end of the month.