Overview of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Tennis Tournament
The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is one of the biggest and most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world. Every April, the best players in the world come together to compete in the tournament and the event is followed by millions of tennis fans around the world. It is part of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 series and one of the nine ATP Masters 1000 events. It is the only Masters 1000 event held on clay courts and it is seen as the most prestigious clay-court tournament in the world.
History of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
The tournament was first held in 1897 and is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. It has been held every year since then, except for 1915-1919 when the tournament was suspended due to World War I. The tournament has been held in Monte Carlo, Monaco since 1979 and has been sponsored by Rolex since 2013.
Notable Winners of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
Throughout its long history, the tournament has seen many great champions. Some of the most notable winners of the tournament include:
- Rafael Nadal – He is the most successful player in the tournament’s history, having won an incredible 11 titles since 2005.
- Novak Djokovic – He has won the tournament 4 times, most recently in 2018.
- Ivan Lendl – He won the tournament 3 times in the 1980s.
- Roger Federer – He has won the tournament twice, in 2006 and 2011.
- Gustavo Kuerten – He won the tournament twice, in 2001 and 2002.
Qualifying for the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
The tournament has a total of 56 players in the singles draw, including 8 qualifiers. The top 8 players in the ATP rankings are automatically qualified for the tournament. The remaining 48 spots in the draw are filled by players who have earned their spots through either winning a qualifying tournament or being given a wildcard.
Format of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
The tournament is played in a single-elimination format. All matches are played in the best-of-three sets format, except for the final which is played in the best-of-five sets format. The tournament is divided into four rounds, with the first round being the qualifying round, the second round being the round of 32, the third round being the round of 16, and the fourth and final round being the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
Prize Money and Points at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
The tournament offers a total prize money of €3,812,100 to the players. The winner of the tournament receives €716,000 in prize money and 1000 ranking points. The runner-up receives €350,000 in prize money and 600 ranking points. The semifinalists receive €179,000 in prize money and 360 ranking points, while the quarterfinalists receive €93,500 in prize money and 180 ranking points.
Where to Watch the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters?
The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is one of the most watched sporting events in the world and is broadcasted on television and streaming services across the globe.
Television Broadcasts
The tournament is broadcasted on various television networks around the world. In the United States, the tournament is broadcasted on Tennis Channel and NBC. In the United Kingdom, the tournament is broadcasted on Sky Sports. In Australia, the tournament is broadcasted on Fox Sports. In France, the tournament is broadcasted on beIN Sports.
Online Streaming Services
The tournament is also available to watch online through various streaming services. In the United States, the tournament is available to watch on Tennis Channel Plus. In the United Kingdom, the tournament is available to watch on Sky Go. In Australia, the tournament is available to watch on Foxtel Now. In France, the tournament is available to watch on beIN Sports Connect.
Final Thoughts
The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world and is watched by millions of fans around the globe. If you are a fan of the sport, then you should definitely tune in to watch this amazing tournament. Whether you choose to watch it on television or through an online streaming service, you are sure to have a great time watching the best players in the world compete for the title of Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champion.