On this summery Easter Sunday, the Monte-Carlo Country Club was bustling with people. The crowds, as usual, had come to watch the matches as well as the practice sessions, hoping to snag an autograph. Many were particularly keen to try and get one from the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz, who was as generous as ever when it comes to signing autographs. “I feel loved and I am grateful for that. People make me feel at home at every tournament. The least that I can do is taking time, signing autographs, letting them taking pictures,” said the world No. 1.
On the courts, the tennis fans saw some smiles – such as the beaming one on Jannik Sinner’s face after his first-round victory in the doubles tournament alongside Zizou Bergs – and some tears, too, such as those shed by David Goffin following his defeat in a three-set marathon against Emilio Nava in the second round of qualifying.
A defeat that spells farewell to the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters for the Belgian, a former world No. 7, who will retire at the end of the season. “This is my last time here in Monte-Carlo, a tournament I love. I gave it my all and tried to find solutions right until the end,” he said. David Goffin has fond memories of his 12 appearances at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. The best one? “The semi-final against Rafa. That’s my best result. But there have been plenty of great matches, like my win against Novak or Dominic Thiem. Whenever you play on these magnificent courts here, there’s a great atmosphere. Centre Court is wonderful. It’s always full. It’s one of the most beautiful centre courts in the world. So many good memories and so many great matches. It’s an important tournament for me, and I wanted to play in it one last time,” David Goffin added.
Gaël Monfils is also competing in the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters for the last time, as he is set to retire at the end of the season. The 39-year-old Frenchman rallied from a set down to defeat Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-7(7), 6-1, 6-4 and to extend his stay in Monaco. His double fault on his second set point in the first set betrayed his nerves. But despite losing the first set, he managed to take control of the match from the start of the second set, much to the delight of the spectators on Court Rainier III. “There was a bit of emotion, inevitably, knowing that this is my last appearance in the tournament. But I managed to get into the match and find my rhythm. I’m happy to be here and to have at least one more match to play,” Monfils said. In the second round, he will face Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, the No. 8 seed. Gaël Monfils will try and enjoy every moment. “I love playing with emotion. I love playing in front of the crowd, my friends and family, and my aim is to enjoy myself.”
As the oldest French player was leaving the court, the youngest, 17-year-old Moise Kouame, was stepping onto Court Rainier III for the first time. After bravely holding his own against his compatriot, he was defeated in two sets (6–3, 7–5) by Ugo Humbert.
