Press Conference – Monaco
A 116th edition between land and sea
Thursday, 9th February 2023 – It was in the lounges of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort that the Tournament Director, David Massey, presented the major points of the next edition of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, which will take place from 8th – 16th April 2023 on the legendary clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, presided over by Miss Melanie-Antoinette de Massy.
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 European tournament in the ATP Masters 1000 category.
A prestigious international event that, since 1928, has announced the start of the season for the Principality and which can count on, alongside Rolex, the title sponsor, the loyal support of prominent partners, such as BNP Paribas, Emirates, Maserati, Sergio Tacchini, Replay, Generali, Dunlop, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and Adecco, in charge of recruiting around one thousand temporary staff. Similarly to the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Monaco Yacht Show, throughout the tournament week the entire Principality lives to the rhythm of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
After briefly summing up the 2022 edition, which was marked by the second victory of Stefanos Tsitsipas in the singles and the duo Rajeev Ram/Joe Salisbury (USA/England) in the doubles, David Massey announced that the Greek player, as title-holder, will be launching the 116th tournament during the Draw at the Hôtel Hermitage on Friday 7th April at 5.00 pm. The event will be broadcast live on Monaco Info.
A Main Draw that again promises to be exceptional
Although the final list of 45 players automatically admitted to the Main Draw will only be official on 14th March 2023, the deadline for entries stipulated by the ATP, the Director of the Monegasque tournament appears very confident regarding the 2023 line-up. Novak Djokovic, the world number 1, and Rafael Nadal, who should be back to attempt a 12th victory in Monaco, were among the first to sign up. And then there will be the new generation of players, very much decided to dislodge their elders.
David Massey highly recommended tennis fans to reserve their seats quickly on the official ticket site (www.rolexmontecarlomasters.mc), since, as every year, the Tournament, which welcomed 131,610 spectators on-site and was watched by over 76.5 million TV viewers, is very popular: 80% of the tickets have already been sold.
A new village facing the sea
Wishing to highlight its Mediterranean character, the new tournament management has presented the plan for the future village which has been completely redesigned and modified so that all the terraces benefit from a full view over the sea.
“I have had the opportunity over several decades to visit all the ATP tournaments. And I can confirm that our extraordinary site is exceptional, as much for its geographical situation, with its south-facing exposition overlooking the sea, as for the palette of colours that change over the course of the day”, stated David Massey, the successor to Zeljko Franulovic. He added: “We are proud of our Mediterranean identity and, in agreement with our partners, have decided to create a new logo, inspired by the movement of the sea, with a colour that represents the green of the stands and blue of the sea.”
Charity work to be continued
After reminding the audience that last year, in partnership with BNP Paribas, the tournament raised 30,707 euros for the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace and donated 200 seats in gratitude to the Hospital staff, this year the Organisers have decided to support the GEMLUC Association (Group of Monegasque Companies in the fight against cancer), which finances research and the latest technological equipment.
Stressing his wish to continue to develop the tournament along the same lines as those undertaken by his predecessors, David Massey announced that the traditional Kids’ Day will take place on Sunday, 9th April, and that the Grande Nuit du Tennis, the gala evening organised each year since 1992, will again be celebrated in the legendary Salle des Etoiles in the Sporting Monte-Carlo.
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