Nadal, Fognini, Djokovic effect: Monte Carlo Masters attendance revealed
More than 135,000 people attended this year's Monte Carlo Masters. It was the Tournament Director Zeljko Franulovic to announce the news via a press conference on Sunday before the doubles and singles finals. "Monaco loves tennis, and the players love the Principality", said Franulovic. "They have shown it, once again. A testimony of this is their participation in the exhibition match in favour of the Monaco Red Cross. As for the weather, we can be satisfied. After a contrasting first weekend and a rain interruption on Sunday, last Sunday, fortunately, the sun showed up again. As for Monday, we were able to respect the match schedule. And I hope this will be the case today. We are happy to have reached 135,656 spectators. On the sports front, this 2019 tournament was characterized by the emergence of a new generation that starts to bloom, and the best players start to feel challenged.
Three young Monegasque residents come to my mind: the Canadian, Felix Auger-Aliassime, aged only 18 years old; the Greek, Stefanos Tsitsipas; or the Russian semifinalist, Daniil Medvedev, who won over the World No. 1 player, Novak Djokovic. We have to give a special mention to the Italian players: Lorenzo Sonego, Marco Cecchinato, and in particular, Fabio Fognini, a finalist for the first time here. He was able to raise a big enthusiasm among our Italian public, which represented 45% of our clients. Another source of satisfaction is the large media coverage we had. This is the proof of the reputation of our tournament and the outreach on the international sphere. You were more than 400 accredited journalists, coming from 16 countries, broadcasting in more than 200 countries and territories. It is worth noting the presence on-site of 10 television channels, holders of rights, and this is a record for us. I would like to take the opportunity to thank you very much for, well, first of all, your presence, and all the support you have given to this tournament. I can tell you without taking any risk that an unprecedented champion will emerge during today's final. For the first time in the history of this tournament, the final will be played by two players that have never been finalists of a Masters 1000. Two surprise guests: the Italian, Fabio Fognini, in great shape this week, and who managed to beat Rafael Nadal, the 11-time winner of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters; and Dusan Lajovic, this talented Serbian player, qualified for the first time in his career on the ATP circuit and who has been very much appreciated by the public, thanks to his attractive tennis, his exceptional path, and humility. And now, let this unexpected and unprecedented final start. But before that, the moment you have been waiting for, the awards presentation for the Press Tournament. Let me now give the floor to Stephan, Andre, and Baptiste."
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2UWGSIH
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