The Director of the tennis tournament Zelko Franulovic presented the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (MCRM) during a press conference in Paris, in the presence of Francis Truchi, Director of the Monte-Carlo Country Club (MCCC), with representatives of the main sponsors Rolex, BNP Paribas, Sergio Tacchini, Faconnable and Mercedez Benz.  This tournament organized by SMETT (Monegasque Association for the Organization of the Tennis Tournament) will take place from April 11 through 23 at the MCCC. 

April 2012 -Singles Trophy ceremony with HRH Prince Albert and HRH Prince Charlene and Baronne Elizabeth Ann de Massy, President of the MCCC

This conference was the perfect opportunity to announce the list of 45 players (see below) directly admitted to the final board, including 8 of the top classed 10 ATP players. Seven additional players will be added after the qualification matches, plus 3 wild-cards, that is a total of 56 players.  After 7 months of absence the Spanish Rafael Nadal now number 4, and who recently won two tournaments in South America and Indian Wells last week, seems determined to make a come back on clay. In last year’s tournament in Monte-Carlo Nadal beat the Serbian Novak Djokovic in the final to become the first player in the history of tennis to win the same tournament 8 times in a row.  Among the contenders to the title this April there is again Novak Djokovic No. 1, Andy Murray No. 3, David Ferrer No. 5, without forgetting the French players Jo-Wilfried Tsong (8) and Richard Gasquet (10). For the moment the Swiss Roger Federer who is No.2 is not registered but surely a wild card could be offered to him at the last minute. We can only hope!

For more information go to www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com

Photo by Celina Lafuente de Lavotha