Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters Conditions
Last year, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters played as one of the slowest clay-court events of the important European stretch. Tennis Abstract had it with a Surface Speed of 0.62, meaning players hit 38% fewer aces than they would on a tour-average surface. Only Barcelona had a lower mark when looking at some of the other big tournaments played at this time of year.
With this tournament being played at sea level, it’s hard to bomb serves in Monte-Carlo the way players do in Madrid, which is played at altitude. It’s also quite windy at this tournament. All in all, the result is an extremely gritty event, with players needing to grind out rallies. So, this one favors players that can construct points, showcase some variety and also outlast opponents.
Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters Players To Watch
Stefanos Tsitsipas (12-1): A quick look at the recent tournament history in Monte-Carlo shows that Tsitsipas has won three of the last four titles here. The crazy thing about that is Tsitsipas really didn’t play well in 2024. This venue just brings out the best in him, as the higher bounces give him more time to unload with his backhand. And that shot, which is usually a weakness, is actually pretty lively on clay, as he gets good jump on it. Tsitsipas is also a dangerous server anywhere, and he has a world-class forehand. On top of that, when play is a little slower-developing, he can be lethal with his ability to approach the net and finish points. That said, Tsitsipas has to be viewed as one of the favorites here, and that’s especially true considering he’s 11-6 on the season. He’s entering the clay-court swing with some real momentum, which isn’t exactly common for him. So, look out for the Greek star, even though he’s in a loaded portion of the draw.
