MONACO – The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is officially underway, and all eyes are on the top contenders, including three-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic, as they seek to add to their impressive legacies at this prestigious clay-court event.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, a crowd favorite, is chasing a historic fourth title at the Monte-Carlo Masters, which would elevate him above legends Ilie Nastase, Bjorn Borg, and Thomas Muster as the second-most successful player in the tournament's history, trailing only the iconic Rafael Nadal, who boasts an unmatched 11 titles. Tsitsipas, who has already captured the trophy three times (2021, 2022, and 2024), reflected on his journey at the tournament, stating, "Winning this tournament three times is something I would have never imagined. This place is special towards me. But getting the Holy Trinity, as I call it, is something that I will fully cherish."
His first title in 2021 marked a significant milestone, making him the first Greek player to win a Masters 1000 event. Tsitsipas dominated the competition that year, not dropping a single set en route to the title. He avenged a prior loss to Andrey Rublev in the final, improving his head-to-head record against the Russian to 4-3. Following this victory, Tsitsipas made history again by reaching the Roland Garros final, becoming the first Greek player to do so, although he ultimately fell to Novak Djokovic after leading two sets to love.
In 2022, Tsitsipas successfully defended his title, demonstrating his prowess on clay with a memorable quarter-final victory over Diego Schwartzman that lasted two hours and 43 minutes. He continued his strong performance by defeating Alexander Zverev, another top player, before claiming the championship against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who had stunned Djokovic earlier in the tournament.
After a brief setback in 2023, where he lost in the quarter-finals to Taylor Fritz, Tsitsipas returned to Monte-Carlo in 2024 with a focus on reclaiming his title. His journey culminated in a thrilling final against Casper Ruud, where he showcased his skill and tenacity, winning 6-1, 6-4. The victory was a much-needed boost for Tsitsipas, who had struggled to find form in previous months.
As he prepares for the 2025 edition of the tournament, Tsitsipas comes in with renewed confidence, having recently won his first ATP 500 title in Dubai and reaching the quarter-finals in Indian Wells. With a record of 22-3 at the Monte-Carlo Masters, he is poised to make another deep run.
On the other side of the draw, Novak Djokovic is also looking to make waves at the Monte-Carlo Masters. Currently ranked No. 5 in the world, Djokovic is chasing his 100th ATP Tour singles title. However, he enters the tournament with tempered expectations due to an eye infection that has plagued him recently. "It's obviously a completely different surface and I didn't have much time to get used to this tournament, so my expectations are not really high for the results here," Djokovic admitted. "It's more about trying to get matches and as many as possible, and obviously try to peak towards the end of the clay season, which is, of course, most importantly in Paris."
Djokovic's brother, Marko, is accompanying him at the tournament, which he believes will provide emotional support during this challenging time. "Having my brother Marko alongside me at the Monte Carlo Masters will help me on a different level emotionally," Djokovic stated, reflecting on the bond they share. "Have some time with my brother and spend some time with him on the road."
This year marks Djokovic's sixteenth appearance at the Monte-Carlo Country Club, and he has previously claimed the title twice. However, he has not won a title since securing the gold medal at the Paris Olympics last summer. His recent performance at the Miami Open, where he reached the final but lost to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, showed signs of his competitive spirit returning, despite his ongoing health issues.
Djokovic has a first-round bye and will face either Stan Wawrinka or Alejandro Tabilo in the second round. The tournament has drawn significant attention, featuring other top players such as Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Britain's Jack Draper, all eager to make their mark on the clay.
Meanwhile, in the opening matches of the tournament, veteran Richard Gasquet made headlines by defeating Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to advance to the second round. The 38-year-old Frenchman, who is retiring at the end of the season, received a wild card entry to the tournament where he first gained prominence two decades ago by beating Roger Federer in a thrilling quarterfinal. Gasquet's career has been marked by a series of near-misses against top players, including a dismal 2-19 record against Federer, and he has never won a match against Nadal or Djokovic.
In addition to Gasquet's victory, Valentin Vacherot of Monaco, ranked 259th, pulled off an upset by defeating Jan-Lennard Struff 6-2, 6-1, marking only his ninth career win on the ATP tour. As the tournament progresses, fans are eager to see how the veterans and rising stars perform on the clay.
With the Monte-Carlo Masters running from April 6-13, 2025, the excitement is palpable as players vie for one of the most coveted titles in tennis. Will Tsitsipas claim his fourth title, or can Djokovic overcome his health struggles to add another trophy to his collection? The next few days promise thrilling matches and unforgettable moments on the red clay of Monaco.
