Monte Carlo Masters Series Trivia
We present a rundown of records set and broken at the Monte Carlo Masters Series and interesting tidbits of information about Monte Carlo Masters players, past champions and the city itself.
- The Monte Carlo Masters had a purse of US$2 450 000 in 2007.
- Rafael Nadal of Spain became the first player to win three straight Monte Carlo Masters titles since Ilie Nastase in 1971-73.
- Since making his debut at Monte Carlo, Nadal has racked up an impressive 19-1 win-loss record.
- In the 1920s contractors had to move or remove 25 000 m3 of land to accommodate the terraces and courts of the elite Monte Carlo Country Club.
- The famous Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar, used the ports of Monaco to launch his offensive against Greece.
- French tennis player, Richard Gasquet, made his debut at Monte Carlo in 2002 as a wildcard, and became the youngest player ever to qualify for a Tennis Masters event – he was 15 years and 10 months.
- More Masters Series trivia: the Principality of Monaco is the second smallest independent state in the world, after the Vatican.
- The Grimaldi Forum houses Monaco’s new opera stage, situated beneath the sea.
- A single glass of champagne, which is synonymous with the Monte Carlo Masters, will cost you in the region of €40.
- Rafael Nadal holds the Masters Series record for the fastest to five titles – one year. Roger Federer holds the record for the fastest to ten titles – four years. Andre Agassi holds the fastest to 15 titles – 12 years!
- The Hamburg Masters Series and the Monte Carlo Masters Series filed an antitrust lawsuit against the ATP, when it became clear that the governing body of men’s tennis was to make changes to the tournament’s status, slashing prize money and halving the ranking points available. The Monte Carlo Series director said at the time: “Today marks a sad day for tennis, when we are forced to take legal action against our own representative body to prevent it from destroying more than 100 years of tennis history in pursuit of its own financial goals – and at the expense of fans, players, tournaments and sponsors.” They were unsuccessful.
- Winners of the three Masters Series tournaments on clay are: Marcello Rios (Monte Carlo in ’97, Rome in ’98 and Hamburg in ’99) and Gustavo Kuerten (Monte Carlo in ’99, Rome in ’99 and Hamburg in 2000).
- Roger Federer holds the record for most consecutive Masters Series matches won, with 29.
