The Tennis Tourist: Monte Carlo Masters

The lowdown
Boasting probably the most picturesque centre court in the world, the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters is one of the ATP tour’s most prestigious and historic events.

Overlooking the azure waters of the Mediterranean, some of the game’s great clay court masters have ruled at the Monte Carlo Country Club, with Bjorn Borg, Gustavo Kuerten, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Rafael Nadal all lifting the trophy since the 1980s.

No man has reigned supreme quite like Nadal, who has won the famous cup for the past five years – a tally one short of record-holding Reggie Doherty – an Englishman would you believe.

The Venue
Stunning vistas, regal spectators and top quality tennis are all found at the tournament, which isn’t actually located in Monte-Carlo, or even Monaco. Instead it lies in the Roquebrune-Cap-Martin region of France.

History
The first tournament was held in 1987, but Rafael Nadal has recently created his own little slice of history, winning five straight titles at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters from 2005 to 2009. The Spaniard became the first ever player to win an ATP tour event on five consecutive occasions with his 27-match winning streak on the French clay.

Players
Naturally, Nadal returns to Monte-Carlo as the top seed, looking to claim his sixth consecutive title and his first ATP tournament victory since May 2009. On his path to the title last year, Nadal defeated first-time clay tournament semi-finalist Andy Murray, who has been handed a wildcard to this year's tournament after he suffered an early exit in Miami. Also shocked in the second round in Key Biscayne was Novak Djokovic, who returns to Monte-Carlo looking to better his runner-up finish last year.

Roger Federer, knocked out by fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in the third round in 2009, will not feature in the tournament this year, while Robin Soderling is also absent. The Swede withdrew from his home-town event after picking up an injury at the Sony Ericsson Open. "I’ve had some problems with my knee since the Miami tournament," said the world No.7 on Thursday. "The pain has just escalated the more tennis I’ve played.”

Despite the Swede’s absence, Monte Carlo will still see a signficiant presence from the tour's top players – with Marin Cilic, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga all confirmed, while world No.12 Fernando Verdasco will also feature.

Prize Money
A pretty handy $2,227,500.

When?
Don’t fret, the tournament begins on Monday, so hop in your inflatable boat and get paddling - you’ve got from April 11-18 to get there.

Website: www.montecarlo.masters-series.com

Want more? Check out the May edition of tennishead magazine to read tour photographer Mike Frey's inside track on the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.