Monte Carlo Masters
The Monte Carlo Masters is an annual tennis tournament, the third Established in 1990, Masters Series and also the first of three Masters tournaments on clay.
The traditional tournament was first held in 1897 and is one of the oldest and most traditional tennis tournaments in the world. 1969 with the start of the Open Era, it was also open to professionals. It belonged to from the start of the Masters Series and is considered one of the most prestigious clay court tournaments. However, in 2007 was planned, the tournament - similar to the traditional Masters in Hamburg on Rothbaum - downgrade as part of a major restructuring of the ATP Tour. The tournament committee sued the ATP and had - in contrast to the line in Hamburg - success and the tournament remained part of the Masters Series. But in contrast to the rest of the Masters Series is in Monte Carlo for top -30 players not the obligation, to participate in the tournament.
Although the tournament is organized by a Monegasque tournament director, the tournament really does not take place in Monaco. The venue, the Monte - Carlo Country Club, located in Roquebrune -Cap- Martin on the French - Monegasque state border, the tournament will thus actually organized in France.
Record winner of the event, with eight victories since the start of the Open Era Rafael Nadal. These eight titles he won in succession, which is a record in the Open Era. Tournament Director is Željko Franulović.