Presentation of the 2022 Tournament
Thursday 10 February – It was in the Salle America of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort that the Tournament Director, Zeljko Franulovic, presented the major points of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, which will take place from 9 – 17 April 2022 on the courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Organised by the Société Monégasque pour l’Exploitation du Tournoi de Tennis (S.M.E.T.T.), the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is the first tournament of the season played on clay in the ATP Masters 1000 category.
To begin with, the Tournament Director evoked the favourable outcome of the 2021 edition which, despite being held behind closed doors and the strict health measures put in place to ensure the protection of the players and tournament staff (nearly 2,000 tests were carried out), was a real success with the victory of Stefanos Tsitsipas and excellent performances by a number of young players. He also announced the arrival of three new partners: Generali, Maserati and Replay and thanked all the partners who have remained loyal to the tournament despite the context. Rolex has renewed its partnership for the next ten years and BNP Paribas for another three years.
Mr. Franulovic then paid tribute to the memory of Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy, recalling that the 2021 edition of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters was also marked by the tribute that H.S.H. Prince Albert II wished to pay her. Accompanied by Miss Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, the new President, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the Sovereign Prince unveiled a plaque in memory of an exceptional President, who will forever remain a legend for Monegasque tennis. Thus, since June 9, 2021, the main alley leading from Entrance 1 to the tennis courts bears the name « Allée Baronne Elizabeth-Ann de Massy”.
The kick-off for this year’s edition will be given by the tittleholder, Stefanos Tsitsipas, during the Draw which will take place on the terraces of the Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo on Friday 8 April, at 5.00 pm. It will be broadcast live on Monaco Info.
Regarding the participating players, Zeljko Franulovic pointed out: “The final list will not be released until March 14, 2022 but we are certain to welcome, as always, the best world players. Alongside the world no. 1 player Novak Djokovic, we will be expecting Rafael Nadal, 11 times winner of the Tournament and of the Australian Open 2022, Danil Medvedev, winner of the US Open and runner-up of the last Australian Open, Alexander Zverev, the Olympic Champion and winner of the ATP Masters 2021, Stefanos Tsitsipas, the titleholder and other players in the top ten. We are also delighted to be welcoming once again the best French and Italian players.”
To the great delight of the general public, a mini-tennis exhibition match will take place, at the opening of the 2022 edition, on Saturday 9 April on the Place du Casino, with the participation of two of the best tournament players.
In addition, the Kids’ Day (Sunday 10 April) and the Grande Nuit de Tennis (Friday 15 April) will also feature on the programme.
Rendez-vous from 9 to 17 April 2022 in the stands of the Monte-Carlo Country Club to be part of this historic tournament which, this year, is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and which traditionally marks the beginning of the European clay season.