Arneodo becomes first Monegasque champion in Monte-Carlo history, wins with Guinard

Romain Arneodo became the first Monegasque champion in Rolex Monte-Carlo tournament history on Sunday when he teamed with Frenchman Manuel Guinard to win the doubles title.

The wild cards saved two championship points to defeat seventh seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool 1-6, 7-6(8), 10-8 in a dramatic final in front of a lively crowd on Court Rainier III.

“I am just so emotional,” Arneodo said. “It is a dream. In 2023 I reached the final and I still dream about that and how I was disappointed not to win the tournament… Now I have won, I reached my dream goal.”

Arneodo reached the final in The Principality two years ago, failing to convert two match points. He ensured he would not suffer heartbreak again on Sunday, with the Monegasque-French pair finding its best level in the closing stages to triumph in 88 minutes.

“He gave me a lot of confidence,” said Guinard, who was competing in a Masters 1000 event for the first time. “We had only played one tournament before in Marrakech and had only played three matches. We knew what we had to work on and we did it pretty good and I am really, really happy for Arneodo and Monaco and I am speechless.”

Arneodo and Guinard were well supported throughout the final, with those in the president box frequently on their feet throughout the encounter. Arneodo, 32, is the second Monegasque ATP Masters 1000 champion in history, joining Hugo Nys, who won in Rome in 2023. Guinard, 29, now holds a 1-2 record in tour-level finals.

Cash and Glasspool were trying to win their first Masters 1000 title together, having also lost in the Miami final last month to Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic. The Brits leave Monte-Carlo third in the PIF ATP Doubles Team Rankings.