Conference of Monaco

Monaco, Thursday 8 February 2018 – It was in the Salle America of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort that the Tournament Director, Zeljko Franulovic, revealed the major moments of the 2018 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Organised by the SMETT (Société Monégasque pour l’Exploitation du Tournoi de Tennis), from 14 to 22 April, in the prestigious setting of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 is the first major tournament of the European season.

After having announced the new name “Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters”, which emphasises the very close ties between the tournament and its Title Sponsor Rolex, Zeljko Franulovic presented, in exclusivity, the 2018 tournament poster, created by the talented British artist, Andrew Davidson, who has already designed the previous eight posters for the event.

“Last year, we once again benefitted from an exceptional player field with the participation of 17 out of 20 of the best world players, including the No.1 A. Murray, No.2 N. Djokovic, and No.3 S. Wawrinka as well as most of the rising stars on the world tennis scene. It was an edition that beat all records. Helped by exceptional weather conditions, the tournament recorded an unprecedented number of spectators with a total of 135,809. The event was fully sold out from the Monday to Sunday on all five competition courts. A very first for us!”.

The Tournament Director also mentioned Rafael Nadal who, “Ranked No.5 at the moment of the Tournament last year, won the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters for the tenth time, before going on to win in Barcelona, Madrid and, in particular, took a tenth title at Roland-Garros before winning the US Open”. The Société des Bains de Mer, the institutional partner of the Tournament, wished to pay tribute to this immense champion by naming one of the suites at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort after him.

Even if the final list of the 45 players directly accepted to the Main Draw will only be disclosed on 19 March, the official ATP closing date of entries, Zeljko Franulovic is confident concerning the 2018 participation, which promises to be just as exceptional. “Once again this year, and despite a rather tricky start of season for some of them, we are expecting to welcome all the best world players such as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Marin Cilic, Alexander Zverev, David Goffin, Stan Wawrinka…” We advise tennis fans to reserve their seats as quickly as possible on the official site (www.rolexmontecarlomasters.mc), because, as every year, some days are already fully booked.

It is in the symbolic setting of the Atrium of the Casino that the Draw Ceremony will take place on Friday 13 April at 6.30 pm.
An intense week is in store, as much on the court as off, with numerous activities and events, such as Kids’ Day on Sunday 15 April, the traditional Grande Nuit du Tennis, held in the Salle des Etoiles on Friday 20 April at 8.00 pm and the private players’ party which has been an exclusivity of the tournament for almost 60 years.

In perpetuating its commitment in this field, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters will be organising an exhibition match in favour of the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, on Court Rainier III, on Saturday 14 April, with the participation of the best tournament players, all committed to the protection of the environment.

We look forward to welcoming you from 14 to 22 April 2018 for the kick-off of the European Clay Season!