Bryan Bros dynamic duo won the doubles

On Sunday, April 19, central court at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters opened with the Doubles match between World No. 1 American pair Mike and Bob Bryan against Italian duo Simone Bollelli / Fabio Fognini. The 36-year-old “Mirror Twins”, Mike is right handed and Bob is a lefty, claimed victory for the 5th time at this Masters tournament beating the Italians 7/6(3), 6/1 in a little more than an hour. “We’re happy to have another great week in beautiful Monte-Carlo,” said Bob Bryan. “It was cool that our friend, Prince Albert, could watch our last two matches. It’s been a pleasure to get to know him over the years and he always gives us great support.” With 34 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles under their belt, they will be competing in a couple of weeks in Madrid.

Bolelli and Fognini, who had a chance to taking the first set but lost it in the tie-break, received the runners up trophies. The pair are currently the race leaders to be eligible for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals after winning at the Australian Open defeating Herbert/Mahut.

The doubles final at the MCRM Apr.19, 2015 @CelilnaLafuenteDeLavotha

Bolelli using the tennis ball as a mike Apr.19, 2015 MCRM @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

The doubles prize ceremony in the presence of Mayor G. Marsan and A. Manigly Apr.19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Mike and Bob high five after a point APr 19, 2015 MCRM @CelinlaLafuenteDeLavotha

The Bryan Brothers holding the main trophies Apr.19, 2015 @CelinaLafuaenteDeLavotha

HSH Prince Albert congratulating Mike and Bob Bryan for their doubles victory Apr.19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

ATP Rankings Doubles

Central Court renamed Court Rainier III Prince of Monaco 

After the doubles match and precisely at 14:15 the twenty-two Prince’s carabineers entered the central court to the rhythm of drums. It was a unique and emotional event specially arranged for the ceremony of unveiling of a plaque by HSH Prince Albert II honoring his father HSH Prince Rainier III who passed away a decade ago on April 6, 2005. The Prince was accompanied by his cousin Mme Elizabeth-Anne de Massy, President of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, and her daughter Melanie Antoinette de Massy. The famous central court at the MCCC will now bear the name Court Rainier III.

HSH Prince Albert unveiling the plaque with Mme Elizabeth-Anne de Massy and daughter Melanie Antoinette de Massy Apr.19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

HSH Prince Rainier III image on the screen of Central Court at MCCC Apr 19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

The court Rainier III Apr.19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Djoko takes the main trophy, the points and the bounty

The emotional ceremony was immediately followed by the presentation of the Singles finalists Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych, both Monaco residents. Once the flag bearers for Monaco, Serbia and Czech Repubilc left, the players took the court for their final match, where World No. 1 Djokovic, better known as Nole, defeated Wold No. 8 Czech Berdych in three sets 75, 46, 63 in a hard fought battle that lasted 2 hours and 43 minutes.

As Djoko was the favorite, including the bookmakers, everybody thought it was going to be a walk in the park for him (or walk on the clay to be precise) but it was not! The Czech was on attacking mood and played great taking lots of risks, but lost a tight first set. At 3-2 in favor of Djoko in the second set, play was stopped due to rain and the red clay turned to green as it was covered. When play was resumed it was Berdych who claimed the set, so the fans were ready for the continuation of the fight on the third set where Berdych made too many faults and Djoko closed easily to assert his victory. The Serb took the main trophy plus Euro 628,100, and 1,000 Emirates ATP Rankings points. He won his 23^rd ATP Masters 1000 title and his 52^nd overall. Vamos Nole! Second string Berdych also received a silver trophy tray plus Euro 308,000 and 600 ranking points.

Flags from Serbia, Czech Republic and Monaco Apr.19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Tomas Berdych in the final at MCRM Apr 19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Tomas Berdych camp applauding one of his shots Apr 19, 2015 MCRM @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Novak Djokovic won the finals Apr.19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Serb’s fan Apr.19, 20115 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

When the red clay turned to green Apr.19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Novak’s camp Apr. 19, 2015 MCRm @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

ATP Rankings Singles 20.04.2015

The Trophy Ceremony

MCRM trophy ceremony. Tomas Berdych and Novak Djokovic Apr. 19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Novak Djokovic lifting the main trophy Apr.19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Paparazzi corner

Prince Georg Festetics – Photo souvenir of MCRM 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Berdych’s fiancee model Ester Satorova sporting her beautiful engagement ring Apr 19, 205 MCRM @CelilnaLafuenteDeLavotha

With friends Sabine and Joe Strautmann at the Restaurant on the Terrace of the MCCC Apr. 19, 2015

Tina Zegg from Zegg Cerlatti Rolex @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Patrick Poivre d’Arvor @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Marc Maury, International sports commentator MCRM 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Luciano from Restaurant Rampoldi in Monaco @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Didier Deschamps, Trainer of the French National Team @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Cool jacket Apr 19, 2015 MCRM @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Press Conference with Zeljko Franulovic & Prizes for the Press

In the morning Zeljko Franulovic, the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tournament director extraordinaire, met the local and international press to thank them for their participation and make a few points about the competition.

Zeljko Franulovic, MCRM Director Apr. 19, 2015 @CelinaLafuenteDeLavotha

Zeljko underlined that 15 out of 16 top ranked players were present in the eighth finals, something that had never happened in a Masters 1000. Furthermore, attendance beat all records for a total of 134.795 spectators over 9 days against 131.472 last year, confirming the attraction of this very well organised tournament.

The conference was followed by the Prize Ceremony for the Press Photo Contest 2014, organised very professionally by Alain Manigly. The selected photos are included in a booklet entitled “The Best of “Collector”, and this was the 108^th edition. I am proud to report that I joined some of my colleagues in receiving a prize, and ten of my photos appear in the book that is distributed to players and sponsors. Members of the press who participated in the Press Tennis tournament also received prizes. Congratulations to all!

MCRM – The Best of Collector, 108th edition

Mark your calendars for the next Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters scheduled for April 9-17, 2016. See you there!

Today’s tennis quote

«I’m trying not to pay too much attention to the rankings because calculations can distract you.» Novak Djokovic