Masters Series Monte-Carlo
It was in the lounges of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort on 1st February 2007 that Zeljko Franulovic, Director of the Tournament and former winner of the event himself, presented the 2007 programme for the Masters Series Monte Carlo presented by Rolex, which has been sponsored by the prestigious watchmakers since last year.
Taking place from 14th to 22nd April 2007, in the magnificent setting of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, the Masters Series Monte-Carlo is the clay court tournament that opens the European season. After the 100th edition that broke all records with an exceptional draw (8 of the top 10 world players took part), a dream final (the world’s n°1 against the world’s n°2l) and unprecedented popularity (matches were played with ticket offices closed throughout the week with over 100,000 spectators watching the event), the organisers hope to have a repeat performance this year.
The Tournament: Thanks to its prestige, its ever-increasing success and its one hundred year tradition, the Tournament is welcoming new major partners this year: Façonnable, Enel (energy company) in addition to Guinot (Guinot and Mary Cohr brands). The figures show record sales for this period of the year: +48% on global ticket reservations and a dramatic rise in internet sales with + 82%. We hasten to add that almost 95% of the 246 boxes have already been booked. From a promotional point of view, the innovative concept of distributing 10,000 prestigious leaflets in TGV trains has been introduced. The Players: This year once again, the draw promises to be just as prestigious, with the anticipated presence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the indisputable world n° 1 and n° 2. Roger Federer, who has just won his 10th Grand Chelem in Melbourne and who, after having proved himself on « hard » surfaces would like to add a few titles won on clay courts to his collection, including that of Monte Carlo. Rafael Nadal is intent on holding on to the Sovereign Prince’s Challenge Cup, one of his most cherished triumphs. Featuring among the leading challengers are: Fernando Gonzales and Andy Roddick (recent finalist and semi finalist in the Australian Open), Nikolay Davydenko who, supported by his friend Marat Safin, has just carried off the Davis Cup for Russia, followed by Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic, both Monegasque residents and members of the top ten, not forgetting the crème de la crème of Spanish and South American players such as Tommy Robredo and David Nalbandian. Last but not least, a new generation of young ambitious players will also be there, including Andy Murray, Marcos Baghdatis, Novak Djokovic, Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils… Quite a stunning impact from the young generation awaits the spectators on the legendary central court of the Monte Carlo Country Club! The Draw: The official draw will take place on Saturday 14th April at around midday, in the V.I.P. village. As last year, it will be orchestrated by Stéphane Apostolou, the young French umpire of great repute. The draw will consist of: 45 automatically admitted players, according to their world ranking six weeks prior to the tournament, i.e. 5th March. To whom will be added: 7 players selected from the qualifying rounds, which will take place during the first week-end on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th April. With 4 invitations (”wild cards”), awarded a few days beforehand by the Tournament Committee, the Final Draw will bring together 56 players (compared to 64 in previous years) in order to give a little more time to the 8 seeded players to recover from their previous tournaments and better adapt to the specific conditions of the Masters Series Monte Carlo. The singles final (preceded this year by the doubles final at about 11 a.m.) will take place on Sunday 22nd April at 2.30 p.m. This will be followed by the closing ceremony during which the Challenge Cup offered by H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince will be awarded to the winner of the Men’s Singles as well as the Trophies offered by the City of Monaco to the winners of the Men’s Doubles event, bringing together 24 teams. New for 2007 : Following the new initiatives adopted by the ATP and given for approval to the tournament organisers, the Committee will be implementing several changes aimed at making the game more attractive for both spectators and TV viewers: The matches in the Final Draw, both Singles and Doubles will begin on Sunday 15th April (and no longer on the Monday). The admission price however will not be increased (individual rate: 15 € / group rate:10 €). The Doubles Final will take place on Sunday 22nd April at 11 a.m. The Singles Final will take place as the best of three sets (instead of the traditional five sets), on Sunday 22nd April at 2.30 p.m. Various activities are also being planned for the new edition, with a special day for children on Sunday 15th April featuring a big surprise rally during which various gifts will be handed out and meetings set up with players from the Tournament.