Five things to know about the Rolex Masters of Monte-Carlo
Before the start of the 2022 edition of the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000, a tournament that traditionally kicks off the clay-court season on the ATP tennis circuit, a look at the five things to know.
A Monte-Carlo tournament… in France!
You may not know it, and yet one of the most iconic Masters 1000 of the circuit actually takes place in France. If it is indeed the Monte-Carlo tournament, the Monte Carlo Country Club is located in the town of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, facing the Mediterranean Sea. A subtlety that alone symbolizes the unique character of this event, which therefore takes place on the border with the Principality, on the legendary Court Rainier III (10,000 seats) and Court des Princes (3,000 seats).
Rafael Nadal the most successful… but conspicuously absent!
The holder of the most victories in the Rolex Masters of Monte Carlo, is also the one who has won the most times Roland Garros, the biggest tournament of the season on clay. Winner of the Grand Slam tournament 13 times in 15 years, Rafael Nadal has also won the Monegasque Masters 1000 11 times! A scarecrow on a surface that saw him become one if not the greatest tennis player of all time. Unfortunately injured in the ribs during his American tour, he will not be present for this 2022 edition. On the other hand, there will be a superb set, with most of the members of the Current World Top 10 : Novak Djokovic (world number one), Stefanos Tsitsipas (defender), Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev.
Two years of long wait
After a cancellation in 2020 due to the health situation, and a 2021 edition deprived of the public, spectators are making a comeback at the Rolex Masters of Monte-Carlo! Two years of absence that made people impatient. So don’t wait too long to get your tickets for the event which will take place from Saturday 9 to Sunday 17 April. There are a few sesames left on the tournament websitewhether it is for the qualifications or the final table.
The last of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the ghost Stan Wawrinka
He has just announced it on his social networks! French Jo Wilfried Tsonga will end his career at the end of the 2022 edition of Roland Garros (May 22 to June 5). Soon to be 37 years old (he will celebrate them on the day of the final, April 17, editor’s note), the one who was semi-finalist in 2013 (against Rafael Nadal) and 2016 (against Gaël Monfils) in Monte-Carlo, will therefore play for the last time at the MCCC. He thus improved with an invitation for the event, the famous wild card, which will allow him to defend his chances despite his 263rd place in the ATP ranking at the end of 2021. Like his Swiss friend, Stan Wawrinkawinner in 2014 here in Monaco, and who is making a comeback on the circuit.
Where to watch the tournament on TV?
As for the other eight Masters 1000 of the season, the Rolex Masters of Monte-Carlo will be broadcast on Eurosport, which holds the TV rights. So see you now on Eurosport Player, if you want to follow the tournament throughout the week. Failing that, you can always console yourself by watching the semi-finals and/or the final clear on C8 ! The TNT channel will indeed broadcast the last four on Saturday from 1:25 p.m., as well as the title match on Sunday, from 2:25 p.m. No excuse !
*Photo credits: Icon Sport and Stéphane Senaux (AS Monaco)