Monte Carlo Likes Attendance, But Not Combined Event In Future

Written by: Staff on 23rd April 2013

Monte Carlo Likes Attendance, But Not Combined Event In Future

epa03669983 Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after beating Fabio Fognini of Italy during his semi final match at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 20 April 2013. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER |

The Monte Carlo Rolex Masters once again had a successful year as it met its 2012 record of 127,000 spectators. This tournament credentialed 468 media: 153 written press, 89 photographers, 16 radio and 210 for television.

Rafael Nadal says that one of the reasons why top players keep coming back to the event is its history. This year was the 107th version of the tournament on the Mediterranean.

Tournament director Zeljko Franulovic said that tradition plays a big role in the event.

“I would say it’s a number one priority for us,” he said. “There are many tournaments in the world, Grand Slams, Masters 1000. Not all of them have this tradition. Not all of them have this prestige. Everybody knows here that the player comes and says himself that this tournament is traditional, he appreciates it, not only for the prize money or points, the hospitality, which all of these events are doing their best. There is a little plus here in Monaco, the club is even older than that, and everything that is around is tradition, the principality behind this event, we have the support of Prince Albert and the family. There is a certain elegance and lifestyle around this.”

A number of Masters 1000s are combined ATP and WTA tournaments such as Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Rome and Cincinnati, but it doesn’t sound like Monte Carlo wants to take any step in that direction.

“We all love women in general,” Franulovic said. “Also talking about tennis, we appreciate the quality of tennis they play, the things they contribute to the sport with their participation in the events. The problem here is that we have given it a thought many, many times. Of course, we’ve thought about having a combined event or having an event like Rome used to have [where the women played the week after the men], after, which was kind of an anticlimax.

A combined event here really wouldn’t work. We have a very specific site that is limited by the surface. You would have to double up everything, the locker rooms, transport.”

Franulovic added that it wouldn’t make sense financially as the club’s geography as well as their own resources limit them.

“Someone has to think economically, too,” he said. “Maybe not me, because as I said, I like the women playing tennis here. I don’t think you would have more than 127,000 people in a week unless we build another stadium, which we cannot. Unfortunately I don’t think in the future we will be considering this option.”

Topics: Carlo Rolex Masters, clay tennis tournament, Monte Carlo tennis news, Rafael Nadal