The 2016 edition of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Master was officially presented today at the Monaco Pavillion at the Expo in Milan. The 110th edition of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Master, part of the Master 1000 series, will be taking place from 9th to 17th April on the legendary clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club in the most picturusque backdrop to a centre court anywhere in the world
Zeliko Franulovic, who won this tournament in 1970 beating Manuel Orantes and has worked as Director of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Master for 10 years, spoke to the Italian media about the big success of this tournament among Italian fans in 2015 and the expectations for the 2016 edition.
“Our tournament attracted a record figure of 134.795 spectators last year. We were sold out from Tuesday to Sunday. No less than 40000 tickets were sold to Italian fans and I would like to thank all the fans by holding our press conference in Milan. Last year 15 of the top 16 seeds reached the third round. The past edition was highlighted by many events like the mini-tennis exhibition with Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, the Draw Ceremony at Yatch Club with the presence of 2014 Monte-Carlo winner Wawrinka, the traditional “Grande Nuit du Tennis” at the Sporting Monte-Carlo with Rafa Nadal and the Players’ evening. Roger and Mirka Federer were invited for a private lunch at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco by HSH Prince Albert II and HSH Princess Charlene. We held a humanitarian exhibition thanks to the initiative of 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic. The profits were donated to Monaco charities”, said Franulovic.
“ We had an excellent television coverage thanks around the world. We want to thank our French television partners Canal + and France Television which broadcast the semifinals and the final. We want to thank our Italian media partners Sky Sport, La Gazzetta dello Sport and Radio Monte-Carlo for their great support. The Monte-Carlo Rolex Master was covered by 370 journalists from all over the world.
The greatest clay specialists like Bjorn Borg, Thomas Muster,Gustavo Kuerten, Juan Carlos Ferrero and more recently Rafa Nadal (eight-time Monte-Carlo champion), Stan Wawrinka (winner in 2014) and Novak Djokovic (winner twice in 2013 and 2015) have won on the courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club. In 2014 Wawrinka beat Roger Federer in the all-Swiss final to claim the first Master 1000 of his career. Djokovic beat Tomas Berdych in the 2015 edition with 7-5 4-6 6-3 to win the 23rd Master 1000 title of his career.
“We have not a big site. What we are trying to do is to work on the quality of the event, on improving the service for the players. For the next edition we will build a very modern gym for players. We expect the top-10 players will take part in the next edition. We are lucky because our tournament is held in spring and players are still in good form and are eager to play”
!Our tournament was a lucky event for Novak Djokovic, who won two of the last three editions and for Wawrinka, who won in Monte-Carlo in 2014 and went on to take the Roland Garros in 2015. It was not a surprise that Rafa Nadal lost the title in Monaco after reigning for eight consecutive years, which is a record in itself. We are confident that Rafa will come back to his old level as long as he is healthy. Next year the Draw Ceremony will be held in the Oceanographic Museum which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010”, said Franulovic
Franulovic explained the difference between the 1970 edition when he triumphed and the modern Rolex Master.
“When I won this tournament there were just three courts without stands. Now we have a Centre Court named after Rainier III with a capacity of 10000 spectators”, said Franulovic
