Sam Querrey often visited the BNP Paribas Open with his family growing up, so it comes as no surprise that the Californian favours the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in March. After three Masters 1000 quarter-final appearances – 2007 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, 2008 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and 2012 Rolex Paris Masters – the American could reach his first semi-final, should he beat Milos Raonic on Friday in Indian Wells. This week, he reflected on his Masters 1000 journey, which includes teaming up with John Isner for the 2011 Internazionali BNL d’Italia doubles crown. What is your favourite Masters 1000 tournament and why? I love all of the Masters 1000 tournaments, but Indian Wells is probably my...
It’s become an annual tradition at the BNP Paribas Open to introduce the #NextGenATP to fans in the Coachella Valley. But this year, the showcase didn’t end with the on-stage Q&A. The #NextGenATP players also made strong statements on court, with the teens in particularly impressive form. Seventeen-year-old Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime won two rounds of qualifying to become the first player born in the 21st century to secure a place in the main draw of an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. He then proceeded to close out a straight-sets win over his mentor, fellow Canadian Vasek Pospisil, before a near-capacity crowd in the 8,000-seat Stadium 2. Over on Stadium 4 earlier that day, 19-year-old Australian Alex de Minaur –...
Richard Gasquet has been one of the most consistent players on the ATP World Tour over the last decade-plus, finishing inside the Top 20 in the Emirates ATP Rankings in eight of the past 12 seasons. At the elite ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level, the Frenchman has reached three finals, finishing runner-up in Toronto twice (2006 l. Federer, 2012 l. Djokovic) and Hamburg once (2005 l. Federer). This series has also provided the stage for a couple other notable career highlights. Fifteen years ago, Gasquet made his tour-level debut as a 15-year-old at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, when he became the youngest player ever to qualify for a Masters 1000. Three years later at the same tournament, he saved...
Leander Paes has won 54 tour-level doubles titles, including 13 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns, during his historic career. But the 44-year-old Indian still has one more Masters 1000 title to go to complete the Career Golden Masters. In this latest installment of “My Masters 1000”, Paes talks with ATPWorldTour.com about that missing title, his favourite Masters 1000 event and which ATP World Tour stars he'd face in his dream Masters 1000 doubles match. Which Masters 100 host city is your favourite and why? Monte-Carlo, just for the view right on the Mediterranean, the clay courts there cut into the mountains, and when you sit up at the top at the players’ lounge and you look down on the...
Juan Martin del Potro has three times come within a match of winning his maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title. The likeable Argentine reached the final at 2009 Coupe Rogers, 2013 BNP Paribas Open and 2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters. He spoke to ATPWorldTour.com about his favourite Masters 1000 tournament, the time he met the Pope in Rome and which Masters 1000 event he'd like to win the most. Which Masters 1000 host city is your favourite and why? I like the Shanghai Rolex Masters. It's pretty far but I think it's a great tournament. The stadium is different and great. The food is amazing. We have great facilities, and I always like to play in Shanghai. You reached the...
