Looking at his FedEx ATP Win/Loss Record, it'd be easy to assume Andy Murray started feeling more comfortable on clay last year, when the Scot won a personal-best 18 matches and lost only three on the red dirt. But on day one of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, the Scot said his successful transformation into one of the best clay-court players actually began in 2015. Two years ago, Murray had never won a clay-court event. But that year he set a goal to take home a clay-court title and he arranged his schedule to help make it happen. For the first time, Murray entered a smaller clay-court tournament, the BMW Open by FWU in Munich, an ATP World Tour 250 event....
World No. 2 Novak Djokovic is a proud Serbian, but the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters is essentially a home tournament for him. The second seed at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event will play Gilles Simon in his opening match. Djokovic is quite familiar with this tournament, making his 11th appearance. Monte-Carlo holds a soft spot for the Serbian after winning here twice (2013, 2015) and also finishing runner-up twice (2009, 2012). But after living in Monte-Carlo for more than seven years and even opening up a restaurant in the city, he’s relishing the comforts of home as he competes. “It’s great to be in a place where I spend the most time when I’m not traveling. This is where...
Tenth seed David Goffin left no room for sentiment on Sunday at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters when he overcame fellow Belgian Steve Darcis 6-2, 6-1 in 72 minutes. Goffin, who also beat his compatriot at the Garanti Koza Sofia Open in February, lost just three of his second service points (18/21) for his 20th match win of the season. "I played well from the start," said Goffin, who will next play Nicolas Almagro or a qualifier. "We had long rallies [and] I was solid. I made him run a lot. I was playing very well tactically. I was playing the right way. I was able to protect my serve with my second serve. I was very solid. I'm very happy...
World No. 1 Andy Murray visits Le Louis XV, a world famous restaurant at the Hotel de Paris in Monaco, ahead of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. Photo: Realis
World No. 1 Andy Murray paid a visit to Le Louis XV, the world-famous restaurant at l'Hôtel de Paris in Monte-Carlo on Saturday night. Murray was joined at the three Michelin star restaurant by his coach Jamie Delgado, fitness trainer Matt Little and physio Mark Bender. "It's supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the world," said Murray. "We're playing in one of the most beautiful cities on the tour and I've had a few good runs here over the years, but it’s the one [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000 final that I haven't reached. So I'd love to do that this year.” Murray has reached the semi-finals of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in 2009, 2011 and 2016...
