While the tennis world was already shifting its attention toward the bright lights and immense pressure of Roland-Garros, a quieter but no less remarkable story was unfolding beside Lake Geneva.
And once again, Monaco was at the heart of it.
Romain Arneodo, the Principality’s doubles specialist and one of its most resilient sporting ambassadors, captured the Geneva Open doubles title alongside Australian partner Marc Polmans after a dramatic comeback victory over Michael Venus and Yuki Bhambri.
The final had all the ingredients of classic doubles theatre.
After dropping the opening set 3-6, Arneodo and Polmans found themselves under pressure against the tournament’s third seeds. Yet instead of fading, the Monegasque-Australian duo raised their level precisely when it mattered most, forcing a tie-break in the second set before dominating it 7-2. The momentum had shifted. A tense match tie-break followed, but Arneodo and Polmans held their nerve to complete a memorable 3-6, 7-6(2), 10-7 victory and lift the trophy.
For Polmans, it was a career milestone, his first ATP Tour title. For Arneodo, it was something different: confirmation that one of the most successful periods of his career is showing no signs of slowing down.
What makes the achievement even more impressive is how quickly the partnership has developed. Geneva was only the third tournament Arneodo and Polmans had played together, yet they left Switzerland as champions. Along the way they produced several impressive victories, including a notable quarter-final win over Americans Taylor Fritz and Learner Tien and a composed semi-final victory against Constantin Frantzen and veteran Dutch player Robin Haase.
At 33, Arneodo has become one of the most recognizable figures in Monaco tennis. His journey has rarely followed the traditional path of international stars. He never enjoyed the global attention of a top singles player, yet through persistence, specialization and remarkable doubles instincts, he has quietly built one of the most significant careers ever achieved by a Monegasque tennis player.
Multiple ATP Titles
Geneva marks his fifth ATP Tour doubles title and adds another chapter to a growing résumé that has become increasingly historic for the Principality.
Of course, no achievement in Arneodo’s career will likely eclipse what happened a year earlier at the Monte-Carlo Masters in 2025.
Playing alongside Frenchman Manuel Guinard, Arneodo became the first Monegasque player ever to win the doubles title on home soil at the prestigious Monte-Carlo Masters. The victory instantly entered Monaco sporting folklore. For a country that lives and breathes elite sport, from Formula 1 to football, swimming and tennis, seeing a local player lift a trophy at one of the Principality’s most iconic sporting events carried enormous emotional weight.
For a nation of barely 40,000 residents, Monaco continues to produce a striking presence in professional tennis.
On the red clay of Geneva, with the Alps standing in the distance, Romain Arneodo once again reminded the tennis world that Monaco’s flag continues to fly proudly on the ATP Tour.
And judging by recent results, it may not be finished rising yet.
