Monte-Carlo Masters to remain a men’s only event, insists tournament director

The Monte-Carlo Masters is unlikely to ever be an event for both the ATP and WTA, according to tournament director Zeljko Franulovic.

This year’s event was the 113th and it has become a popular stop on the ATP Tour.

However, Franulovic says it is simply unfeasible to from a practicality point of view to add a women’s section to the tournament.

“There were some ideas, proposals, even projects that have been envisioned, but when you think about the fact of adding 56 or 60 players in the main draw plus doubles, plus training courts, and you have to deal with all the scheduling, and you have men and women, it is quite complicated.” Franulovic told reporters.

“So even though we have managed to change for the better, we do not have more square meters.

“It’s not the same as if it was Miami or Indian Wells where there is no problem of space.

“But we have made the decision to keep our men’s tournament and improve the quality.”

Fraunlovic was also asked if he’d consider running a separate event for the WTA at the venue and, while he didn’t rule it out, he didn’t give much hope of it happening either.

“We have to be aware of the fact that in the Principality, the dates and the seasons along the year are very specific,” Franulovic added.

“For instance, in spring we have our tournament here. Then we have the Formula 1, the Grand Prix. And then summer arrives very soon, and people go on holidays. People are on the beach.

“It is difficult to organize such a tournament and expect to have a big development of such women’s tournament.

“So if we separate men’s tournament from the women’s tournament, we are not going to benefit from the power and the attraction that the men’s tournament will have.

“Another point is that we need to assess the price, particularly the costs and the prize money, because of course the prize money has to be at the same level for the women as for the men.

“So we need to draw a really solid business plan and do our accounting before actually going into that venture.”

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