For F1, the Monte Carlo Grand Prix has the longest history, the most special track, and may even be the most difficult event to win.
Naturally, no one wants to miss it, not only will they not, but they will try their best to win.
For tennis, the same is true for the Monte Carlo Masters.
First of all, Monte Carlo opens the clay court season and officially kicks off the clay court season. Injuries are at a minimum, and it is also the beginning of adjusting to the state.
Secondly, the competition environment in Monte Carlo is most similar to Paris. Before going to Paris, you can adapt to the venue and climate in advance and complete adjustments.
Thirdly, Monte Carlo is known as the weather vane of the French Open, not only because of the similarity of the venue and environment, but also because it is known as the blessed place of the French Open——
Every year, players who win the championship in Monte Carlo seem to be protected, not only to have a good clay court season, but also to have good luck at the French Open.
In fact, professional players should believe that strength is the only key to victory; but the reality is often a bit biased. Professional players more or less have their own little superstitions, and every action and object can bring them good luck.
If so, they will continue to do so.
For example, some players firmly believe that they must use a different tennis ball every time they serve, which means a new start and never use the same tennis ball again.
But on the contrary, some players firmly believe that if they scored in the previous round, then this tennis ball will bring them good luck, so they will continue to use the same tennis ball for the next point.
It's the same superstition, but in two different ways, and there are a lot of people on the circuit.
The same is true for Monte Carlo, the "Blessed Land of the French Open", a superstition that one would rather believe.
Of course, the "Big Four Era" is really too special. From 2005 to 2012, Nadal completed an incredible eight consecutive championship dynasties here. Therefore, it doesn't seem to make much sense to discuss the "blessed land" here.
However, if you look back in time, it's a different story.
In 1993, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, the champions of the Monte Carlo Masters all entered the French Open finals. Five of them successfully reached the top and won the championship. Only Ferrero in 2002 and
In 2004, Corea unfortunately finished second in Paris.
In addition, the Monte Carlo Masters champions in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 2000 had their worst performance in the French Open in the fourth round.
It can be seen from all aspects that Monte Carlo is indeed the weather vane of the French Open, and it is also a blessed place for the French Open, which is different from other events.
Of course, last year, in 2014, Monte Carlo had a slight waterloo. Wawrinka defeated Federer here to win the first Masters championship in his career. However, when he arrived in Paris, he was upset in the first round of the French Open.
This also became the second Monte Carlo champion to be eliminated in the first round of the French Open in the Open era after Ilie-Nastase in 1972. In fact, Nastase was eliminated in 1971 and 1972.
In 1973, he achieved three consecutive championships in Monte Carlo, and then his results in the French Open were runner-up, first round, and championship respectively. It was only in 1972 that he suffered a shocking upset.
Despite this, this still does not affect the existence of Monte Carlo as the "French Open Blessed Place".
Just like North America's "Sunshine Double Championship", the players who come to Monte Carlo to compete every year are star-studded.
In fact, due to the special situation of Monaco, Monte Carlo does not have much sponsorship funds, and the tournament prize money is only slightly higher than that of the Rome Masters. It is far less wealthy than the "Sunshine Double Crown", and events such as Doha and Dubai.
It pales in comparison.
It is precisely because of this that in 2009, the ATP tournament was restructured, promoting the Magic City to a new Masters tournament, and preparing to cancel the qualifications of two Masters tournaments, and finally retained eight Masters tournament seats. These two encounters were "named"
The Masters are none other than Hamburg and Monte Carlo.
Both events face similar problems, financial difficulties is undoubtedly one of them; and the relatively poor tennis market is also a serious challenge.
In the view of the ATP, although Hamburg and Monte Carlo have long histories, they are not in line with the future development direction of tennis.
At that time, because of the relegation, Monte Carlo and Hamburg were even preparing to sue the ATP for breaking their contracts.
The final result is that Monte Carlo retains Masters-level treatment, but becomes the only Masters tournament in which participation is not compulsory——
To put it simply, if a player misses the other eight Masters events without injury or other legitimate reasons, they will all be fined and given points. However, this will not happen in Monte Carlo. Even if there is no legitimate reason, they can not participate.
ATP will not impose any penalties.
But in comparison, Monte Carlo has been very lucky, because Hamburg was directly downgraded to a 500-point event, and then never returned to the top ranks. In recent years, German players have mainly participated in the competition to support Hamburg last year.
Giving little Zverev a wild card is a direct reflection.
Firstly, the prize money is limited; secondly, participation is not compulsory; thirdly, the audience attendance is far lower than that of Madrid and Rome.
Logically speaking, Monte Carlo's appeal should have declined sharply, but the reality is that the players who come to compete every year are still star-studded——
It is because of the title of "French Open Weather Vane" and "French Open Blessed Place" that no one wants to miss it.
This year is no exception.
Among the top twenty players in the world, except for Murray and Kei Nishikori, who are absent, all others have signed up to participate.
Both Murray and Kei Nishikori participated intensively and encountered varying degrees of physical fatigue attacks in the "Sunshine Double Championship". Considering the long clay court season, the two talents skipped Monte Carlo, but other top players did not.
People are willing to miss it and gather together again in a bustling way.
So, who can reach the top here this year?
and!
In addition to the championship battle, entering the summer season, the "World Ranking Battle" that the entire ATP is most concerned about inside and outside is about to officially kick off:
Gao Wen's pursuit of world No. 2 is about to start. Obviously, the drama of "Big Four VS Challengers" is approaching its climax step by step.
Maybe, we can go one step further on the basis of being second in the world?
Even if the battle for world rankings is temporarily put aside, the attention and hot spots focused on Gao Wen have once again reached a new level. Since last year's Paris Masters, Gao Wen has won three Masters championships in a row, so he can put his
Will the winning streak continue further?
From the Grand Slam to the Masters, will Gao Wen's strong performance face challenges as he enters the clay court season?
Assuming that Gao Wen will indeed encounter different challenges on clay, or even lose, then when will Gao Wen's record of fifteen consecutive wins in the Masters end?
What role will clay play this time? Gao Wen steps onto the clay court for the first time in his career. Can he continue his magical performance?
All kinds of things, this also makes the championship battle in Monte Carlo full of more highlights——
Exciting, not just Nike?
The same goes for the news media and fanatical fans. To be precise, who is the exception?