In the amphitheatre of Monte Carlo, on the Championship Centre Court, Rainier III, where tennis legends are made, new chapters were written in 2025. In the Singles, Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish prodigy, etched his name into clay court history by defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in a riveting final at the 2025 Rolex Monte Carlo Masters.
A Tale of Two Halves
The match unfolded like a classic drama. Musetti, with his elegant one-handed backhand and artistic flair, seized the first set 6-3, leaving his cheering Italian supporters in ecstasy. Musetti played flawless tennis at the top of his game and a confused Alcaraz could find no chink in his armour. However, the Spaniard , known for his relentless energy and tactical prowess, took his game to the next level. It was Musetti’s turn to be confused. Alcaraz stormed through the next two sets, 6-1, 6-0, showcasing a masterclass in adaptability and resilience.
Stepping into the Spotlight
This victory marks Alcaraz’s first Monte Carlo title and his sixth Masters 1000 crown, solidifying his position as a dominant force on clay. With this win, he ascends to World No. 2, overtaking Alexander Zverev, and positions himself as a formidable contender for the upcoming French Open. But the Italians have another ace card to play. Italy’s Jannik Sinner will have served his three month suspension by then and also retained his World #1 ranking. So the lust for Italian Trophy winners will certainly have a credible contender at Roland Garros.
Let’s not forget Musetti. Musetti’s journey to the final was nothing short of heroic. The Italian dispatched top-seeded players, including Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur, displaying tenacity and finesse. Despite succumbing to fatigue and requiring medical attention during the final, his performance throughout the tournament signals a promising future.
Historic Doubles Victory Features A Monegasque Hero
In a historic and thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, Monegasque player Romain Arneodo and Frenchman Manuel Guinard clinched the doubles title, marking a significant milestone for Monaco’s tennis legacy.
Monegasque Arneodo and Frenchman Guinard, entering the tournament as wildcards, faced the formidable British duo Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool in the final. After dropping the first set 1–6, they rallied to win the second set in a tense tiebreak 7–6^(10–8), and ultimately secured the championship in a match tiebreak [10–8].
The wild cards entrants Arneodo and Guinard saved two championship points in the process in front of a lively crowd on Court Rainier III.
This triumph is particularly momentous as Romain Arneodo becomes the first Monegasque player to win a title at the Monte-Carlo Masters, bringing pride to the host nation.
Two years ago, he also reached the championship match in The Principality with Sam Weissborn just narrowly missing that time.
Throughout the tournament, Arneodo and Guinard showcased exceptional teamwork and resilience. Their journey to the final included a notable victory over the second-seeded pair, Harri Heliövaara and Henry Patten, in the semifinals.
The duo’s victory not only signifies a personal achievement but also represents a historic moment for Monaco in the world of tennis. Their performance has undoubtedly inspired many and added a memorable chapter to the Monte-Carlo Masters’ history.
Monegasque banners lighted up the arena and fittingly the Monegasque National Anthem was played.
At the 2025 Rolex Monte Carlo Masters the tradition of the Prince presenting the trophy to the tournament winners continues the longstanding royal involvement in the event. And the Prince is accompanied by President of the Monte-Carlo Country Club Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy. She assumed the role in July 2020, following the passing of her mother, Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy, who had served as president since 2008. This position continues a family tradition, as her grandmother, Princess Antoinette, held the presidency from 1972 to 2008.
Record attendance and acclaimed new features!
The Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2025 was a success on every level. At his traditional press conference to review the 118th edition, David Massey, Tournament Director, welcomed a new attendance record: “We have almost reached our maximum capacity for this tournament. Last year, we welcomed more than 148,000 spectators, and this year, we will pass the historic mark of 150,000 spectators over the nine days of the tournament”.
David Massey also highlighted the success of the new features introduced this year. “One of the biggest changes to our event this year was the expansion of our site by more than 35% with the introduction of the “Players Village” where we privatised the Monte-Carlo Beach Club. I think we’ve created the best Player Village in the world for tennis. We’ve had an extremely positive response from the players. It’s an important development because we were really lacking in square metres dedicated to players and we’ve been able to remedy that”.
Another very important development, introduced by the ATP, was electronic line judging. “A system introduced this year for all tournaments, but we were the first clay-court Masters 1000 to have electronic refereeing. It was implemented in collaboration with Hawk-Eye,” explained David Massey. In addition to ELC Live, Video Review was also used for the first time on clay at a Masters 1000 tournament.
“Finally, we renamed Court No. 2 the Elizabeth-Ann de Massy Court, providing an ever-lasting presence of Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy. She was such a critical part of this tournament for 50 years. Renaming the court was a way to integrate her in a very present way. A ceremony with all the top players present, together with H.S.H. Prince Albert II and our President Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, took place ahead of the first matches on the court. It was a unique moment of emotion. The new court now allows us to sell tickets on an individual basis. So, for the first time, everyone entering the stadium has been allocated a seat.”
The appointment is already set for the 119th edition, to be held from 4th to 12th April 2026.
