FROM THE GRANDSTAND’S MEMBERS AT COURT RAINIER III
Day 1 – April 8, 2023
From the beginning of March, the Monte Carlo Country Club has been in full swing to be perfectly ready for the biggest event of the season: the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (ATP Tour Masters1000) which opens the clay court season 2023 . The first edition of the original tournament took place in 1897!
All tennis fans and enthusiasts come to admire the 56 best players in the world who compete here to win the legendary tournament. We were already able to follow Novak Djokovic’s training on central court on Friday 31st March and on Saturday 1st April we met Félix Auger Aliassime at the MCCC restaurant accompanied by a radiant Lady and her little dog! On the same day, the German of Russian origins Alexander (Sascha) Zverev trained at center court. In practice, from 4th April the MCCC members can no longer play tennis because all the courts are reserved for champions… but what a pleasure to be able to admire them, among others on 5 April the Greek Stefano Tsitsipas and the Danish Holger Rune.
Today Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic performed near Larvotto beach in Monaco, in front of many fans delighted to see them play on such an alternative “ground”!
The qualifications will end tomorrow at the MCCC. The notable absentees are Rafael Nadal who has won this tournament countless times and Carlos Alcaraz, world number 1. Finally, for the Italians, we note the absence of Fabio Fognini injured.
Copyright Palais Princier
Day 2 – April 9, 2023
A royal gift this Sunday for enjoying the tournament with yours children : the organization of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters has designed a space dedicated to them ! It is not a daycare center but two tennis courts (court 19-20) where young champions had the opportunity to play tournaments or test the speed of their service. Other animations are present: an inflatable arch and video games to amuse them with Mario Bros.
And then straight to Qualify !
Under a spring sun, the German Jann-Lennard Struff, the Chilean Nicolas Jarry, the Hungarian Martin Fucsovics, the Italian Luca Nardi, The Spanish Jaume Munar and the Pole Hubert Hurkacz pass the round.
An exceptional public turnout at the MCCC for this Easter Sunday, the day of the qualifications. The double was awarded by Yannik Sinner paired with Diego Schwartzman.
Day 3 – April 10, 2023
Impossible to find a ticket after 9.30 in the morning !
At the court Rainier III the first challenge between the Swiss, of Russian origins, Stan Wawrinka , invited to participate in the tournament with the Wild Card, and the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor 35th in the ATP ranking.
Wawrinka won thanks to the finesse of his shot. (5-7 6-3 6-4) during 2h25
On the places dedicated to MCCC members we immortalized two great tennis players Sandro Gastaudo (more than 10 times winner of the MCCC veterans tournament) and Philippe Cardona former tennis player of the MCCC team. Now Philippe is the owner of Häagen-Dazs, the ice cream shop on Port Hercule in Monaco.
In the 32nd Monte-Carlo elimination round, Matteo Berrettini, who fell to 22nd place in the ATP rankings, beat the n° 38 in the ranking Maxime Cressy 6-4,6-2 en 1h26
The last match saw the French Richard Gasquet (43 ATP) eliminated in two sets by the Austrian Dominic Thiem (104 ATP).
The Italians Simone Bolelli and Lorenzo Musetti lost the double against the duo made up of the very strong American Taylor Fritz and the very young Danish Holger Rune.
Day 4 – April 11, 2023
A quick reminder: the train remains the best way to get to the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters!
An SNCF stop has been created , especially for the event, which leads directly to the MCCC (Monte-Carlo Country Club).
Very applauded first match at Court Rainier III between the Russian naturalized Kazakhstani player (53º in the ATP world ranking) Alexander Bublik against the German of Russian origin, 16º ATP world player, Alexander Zverev (6-3, 2-6, 6-4).
In the second match the Spanish Jaume Munar, classified 83º ATP, showed his talent by playing his long topspin ball which managed to hinder the Russian Andrew Rublev, classified 6º ATP. Rublev, after a very difficult first set, won 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
On the other hand, the organisers did not display the Russian flag on the info panel, present at the Rainier III court, next to the names of the two Russian players Andrew Rublev and Daniil Medvedev… in our opinion, a terrible lack of taste.
A shame, even because politics, in our opinion, should not affect Sport.
Baron Pierre de Coubertin must revolt in his tomb, he who was the innovator of the modern Olympic Games in 1894 and who supported the creation of the Winter Olympic Games (first edition in Chamonix in 1924).
Please pay attention that Andrew Rublev at the end of an other match, wrote on the camera screen, “Peace no War”.
Before last match at the Rainier III court: the just qualified player Ivan Gakhov!
The Russian who has just qualified against the American Mackenzie McDonald, had to cross the world number one … Novak Diokovic.
The Serbian player won the first set after a long Tie Break fight, in1h10 .
Nole, as he is call here at the MCCC club, won 7-6 6-2 and in the next round he will face the winner of the all-Italian match between Luca Nardi and Lorenzo Musetti.
Last Simple: suffered game for the French Benjamin Bonzi who had to leave the match against the Greek Stefano Tsitsipas (ranked 3rd in the world ATP) after 22 minutes of play with a damaged left wrist.
After the first set, with the score 4-1 against him, he was forced to leave the Rainier III Court. Stefanos Tsitsipas qualifies for the round of Last sixteen.
Court Rainier III therefore closed its stands after the Double Match won (7-6, 6-7 and 10-5 at the Match Tie Break) by the Greek brothers Tsitsipas, Petros and Stefanos, against the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and the Pole Hubert Hurkacz.
Day 5 – April 12, 2023
First match at Rainier III between the Norwegian Casper Rudd , ranked fourth in the ATP world championship , won ( 7-5,7-6) the Dutch Botic Van de Zandschulp (31ATP).
Than on the central court, the Italian twenty-one year old tennis player from Alto Adige Jannik Sinner (8th in the ATP ranking in the world) defeated the Argentine Diego Schwartzman (37 ATP) in two sets (6-0, 3-1). The Argentine tennis man was injured at a ligament .
In the following match the Italian tennis player Lorenzo Sonego, invited with Wild Card, could not keep up with the rhythm of the Russian Dmitri Medvedev who beat him in two sets (6-3 , 6-2).
At the end of the day, a match for lovers of gorgeous tennis with beautiful rallies, especially drop volleys and fantastic backhands: the suspense was at its height!
Dane Holger Rune (9 APT) beat Austrian Dominic Theam, Wild Card guest at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 1000, in two sets (6-2, 6-4).
https://www.facebook.com/ely.stella.9/videos/10203650719052160/?fs=e&s=cl
At 12h30 in an another court of the MCCC, an 100% Italian match : Luca Nardi (159 ATP) against Lorenzo Musetti (21 ATP) who won in two set (6-0,6-0).
Day 6 – April 13, 2023
LAST SIXTEEN
Make way for the joy of participating in such a sumptuous event! A perfect welcome reserved for everybody! Would you like to drink a glass of Champagne while nibbling on a savory “niçoise » tartlet ?
Here are two solutions just near the Club’s terrace, in summary:- if you have the privilege of watching the tournament from the Lodges or if you’re a member of MCCC… the gorgeous “Bar des Loges” is dedicated to you;- otherwise right next door you can access the pretty bar of the MCCC which, during the Rolex Masters, took the name “Wild Card Bar”. Managed by the « maître Antoine », alias Sali Othmane, who will take care of you so you’ll be ready to return to the stands to attend the last sixteen.
Of course, after a short stop at the MCCC shop, just the time to buy a straw hat… which will be very useful today !
Before entering the Court Rainier III, we must point out that the Italian from Alto Adige, Yannik Sinner (8 ATP) is part of the MCCC club and for this reason almost all the members of our Club applauded his victory against Polish Hubert Hurkacz (13 ATP) 4-6, 7-6, 6-1.
Second match: in the grandstand for MCCC members many supporters of Greek nationality shouted “Pame” intending support their idol, twice holder of the title in Monte-Carlo, Stefanos Tsitsipas (3rd in the ATP world championship) who played against the Chilean Nicolas Jarry.
The two tennis players had already met once on a grass court, in Hertoghenbosh in 2019.
In the middle of the game, a strange breeze arose with gusts and whirlwinds and made very difficult for both players to serve.
Meanwhile the match ended in 2 sets with the victory of Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4.
Soon after, at Court Rainier III, world No.1 Novak Djokovic (Serbian) played against ATP world No. 21 Lorenzo Musetti (born in Tuscany Italy).
The Italian, in the second set, served two Aces and a drop ball which brought him back to a tie and therefore to the victory of the second game.
The match was suspended due to rain and after the interruption ended in favor of Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
Finally, the lights came on on the court “Court Rainier III” for the single between the Russian Dmitri Medvedev (5 ATP) and the German Alexander Zverev (16 ATP).
The match ended after 3h07 of play with a tie break score, at 11:15pm .. a real fight between titans: 3-6, 7-5, 7-6.
This is Monaco !
Day 7 – April 14, 2023
QUARTER-FINALS
Yesterday, in Doubles Tennis, the Monegasque Roman Arneodo and the Austrian Tristan-Samuel Weissborn won and that means they will be present in the Quarter-Finals… a joy for our President Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, who is also President of the Monegasque Tennis Federation. During an interview she confided, with very warm words, her hope to see the Monegasque colours win the Double. It will also be our hope to thank her for this magnificent tournament which takes place in “a serene atmosphere, in joy” to use her own words…but also to remind and to remind you the memory of Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy, her mother…unforgettable in our hearts. It’s true, here in MCCC “We all live strong moments together”. THANK YOU !
First match : at Court Rainier III the Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev (6 ATP) won the quarterfinals against the German Jean Lennard Struff with the score of 6-1 and 7-6 at the Tie Break.
Followed by Taylor Harry Fritz USA (10 ATP) vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas Greace(3 ATP) 6-2, 6-4
Suspense for the quarterfinals as not all players had the same recovery time.
For example, the very young Danish player Holger Rune (9th APT) faced the Russian Daniil Medvedev (5th APT) who finished playing very late last night, at 11.15pm, after a difficult match against the German Alexander Zverev (16th ATP)
Rune's strategy was successful, he played several times a half volley from one side of the court to finish the shot in the other corner ... even if he fought against a very experienced player, his serve at 206 km/h did not left many possibilities to the opponent ! 6-2, 6-4
Yannik Sinner (8 ATP) vs Lorenzo Musetti (21 APT): a young match, all Italian, between Tuscany and South Tyrol!
Lorenzo tried to change the pace of the game, taking advantage of his one-handed backhand, but Yannik didn't leave any gaps and caressed the ball several times sending it close to the net. 6-2,6-2
All the "gotha" of the MCCC present at the Members Grandstand !
The Italian MCCC members warmly surrounded Francis Trucchi, who was the director of the Monte-Carlo Country Club for a long time.
A legend!
Small change of plans : the Danish Holger Rune will not play the Doubles tonight against Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek who will go through for tomorrow. Good news, the Monegasque Romain Arneodo and the Austrian Sam Weissborn have also passed the lap! Long live Munegu!
Day 8 – April 15, 2023
SEMIFINALS
Super good news the Double was won by the Monegasque Roman Arneodo and the Austrian Tristan-Samuel Weissborn . They won , whit a Match Tie Break (7-6, 4-6 and 10-7) against the German Duo Kevin Krawietz -Tim Puetz.
The colors of Monaco, as well as its values and traditions, will be represented in the final!
First Singles match at Court Rainier III: Andrey Rublev (6º ATP) vs Taylor Fritz (10º ATP)
After finishing the first two Sets in parity 5-7 and 6-1, at third set (score 3-2) the match was interrupted because of the rain !
An hour and a half after the match startedagain , an icy wind blew in the grandstands…as if snow had fallen at La Turbie and Mont Agel ! Then a beautiful rainbow warmed up the supporters and them, showing endurance, applauded the Russian player Andrey Rublev who won the final set. Result 5-7,6-1 and 6-3 Last show the match between the Italian Yannik Sinner (8ºATP) and the Dane Holger Rune (9ºATP) suspended after the first set 6-1 for Sinner, at the third game 0-3 for Rune. The game end with the victory of Holger Rune 6-1, 5-7, 5 -7 Day 9 - April 16, 2023 Final
Double match: Ivan Dodig, Croatian and Austin Krajicek, American, titled in doubles!
They won against the Monegasque Romain Arneodo and the Austrian Sam Weissborn.
6-0, 4-6 and Match Tie Break
Last match today between Andrey Rublev (6 ATP) and nineteen-year-old Holger Rune (9 ATP)
At 2:30 p.m. the Monegasque anthem announced the start of the final.
Copyright Monaco Info
Too bad for some problems created by employees at the access of grandstand’s members . They prohibited entry to several members… faults of the places… when, in reality, there were enough places for everyone! “If you go out you can't come back in” they said to those who wanted to go out…. to accompany their children to the bar or services. Never seen ! In the hope that this remark can help to organize the 2024 edition even better!!!
The final between the Dane Holger Rune (9º ATP) and the Russian Andrey Rublev (6º ATP) ended 7-5 2-6, 5-7 Saturday evening, during the match against the Italian Yannik Sinner, the young Danish Rune had a very negative impact on the public who supported Sinner … so today almost everyone cheered, loudly, Andrej Rublev. Unnerved Holger Rune, in the third set, score 5-5, fired a ball out of court...the crowd was furious and he whistled it.
In two games Andrej Rublev overtook him and won the trophy.
First Master 1000 won by the Russian tennis player who will be added to the twelve titles in total won, in Masters 500 and 250
HH.SS.HH Sovereign Prince Albert II and Princess Charléne with President Melanie-Antoinette de Massy descended at Court Rainier III for the award ceremony.
No anthem at the end, neither Russian, nor Danish, nor Monegasque!
This is class!
That's Monaco!
See you in 2024 !
Copyright Ely Galleani
