Mini tennis exhibition with Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic

This Saturday, April 11, 2015, was the kick-off event of the highly anticipated Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, not on clay but on water! Well not exactly, the mini-tennis exhibition between Swiss Stan Wawrinka, winner of last year’s tournament and world No. 9, and Serb Novak Djokovic, world No.1, took place on the upper terrace of the Yacht Club of Monaco, the state of the art building designed by Lord Norman Foster that looks like a giant vessel and is docked permanently on the port.  Both top players enjoyed this unique experience, only disturbed by the cries of the seagulls attacking the camera drone that was invading their habitat!

The mini-tennis court built on the upper terrace of the Yacht Club of Monaco @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic ready for the exhibition @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Novak and Stan are amused looking at the camera drone being attacked by the seagulls @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Novak and Stan during play @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotah

Drinks specially prepared for Novka and Stan after their exhibition courtesy of the Yacht Club of Monaco @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Tournament’s main draw

The exhibition was followed by the main draw in the Riva Aquarama Lounge in the presence of tournament director extraordinaire and former tennis players, the Croatian Zeljko Franulovic, Elizabeth-Anne de Massy, President of the Monte-Carlo Country Club and the Monegasque Tennis Federation, her daughter Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, Patrice Cellario, Minister of Interior, and other distinguished personalities, including former Australian tennis player Pat Cash now turned TV commentator. The honor guest was Stan Wawrinka who, as the tournament’s title-holder, took the first number out of the trophy to start the Singles draw for the competition.

Stan Wawrinka drew the first number of the main draw @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Stan Wawrinka tournament’s title holder was the guest of honour @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

The coveted trophy exhibited during the main draw @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Zeljko Franulovic @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Main Draw

Bernard d’Alessandri, Stan Wawrinka, Patrice Cellario, Elizabeth Anne de Massy, Melanie Antoinette de Massy and Zeljko Franulovic @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

At the MC Country Club inserting the names of the players after the main draw @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Cilic and friends show they care

In parallel at the Monte-Carlo Country Club the qualifications matches were being played in all courts. In the afternoon Marin Cilic and friends put together a charitable tennis exhibition, with the funds raised benefiting the associations Special Olympics, of which HSH Princess Charlene has been appointed Global Ambassador, and Fight Aids Monaco, presided by Princess Stephanie. Among the players who joined Cilic were Italian Andreas Seppi, Canadian Milos Raonic, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, former player turned coach Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, former player Swedish Thomas Johansson, with the surprise participation of Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic. It is great to see all these pros get together for a good cause!

Marin Cilic organiser of the charitable exhibition @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Andreas Seppi and a Special Olympics athlete shaking hands @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Marin Celic greeting the Special Olympics athlete after winning the exhibition tie-break @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Rafa Nadal played an exhibition game with Marin Cilic @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Rafael Nadal throwing autographed tennis balls to the fans @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

The fans came in numbers to support the charitable event @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Thomas Johansson, Novak DJokovic, Ivan Ljubicic and Milos Raonic @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Representatives from Fight Aids Monaco and Special Olympics with Andreas Seppi, Marin Cilic and Special Olympics athletes @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Keep tuned for updated information on the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters!