ATP MONTE CARLO 2026

[Miss_Vee]

I know that clay season has already arrived.  But green clay on the WTA in Charleston?!?🙄.  Not real clay.😂

Haven’t checked the clay in Houston, or Marrakech or 🤔….whatever it doesn’t really matter.

The real clay court season starts tomorrow in Monte Carlo, that beautiful, mountainous region, jutting out over the French Riviera, surrounded by the most splendid looking azure waters of the Mediterranean. Hence the name Cote D’Azur.  But I digress….lol

The field is slightly watered down this year.  Many top players MIA, due to injury.  Still decent field headlined by Alcaraz and Sinner.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

The draw still looks good. Who is missing apart from Nole?

[Miss_Vee]

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!  Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend.

Sek, the withdrawal list is quite extensive….many of them top 10 players.

Djokovic, Draper, Fils, Fritz, Tien, Shelton and Tommy Paul who are playing in Houston this week.  They chose to withdraw in the last couple of days.

ADF, Rune.  There is someone else.  Anyway the field is still decent.

[sugarplum876]

Why is Rafa doing this to me, he is definitely very involved in assisting Iga ,I would rather seen fake Naomi with him, Rafa why why 😡😜

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

lol. Iga is a big Rafa fan, plus they are using his academy for training. I am sure Iga requested Rafa for help.

Sugar, remember Rafa is running a business. 

Wait for Iga to start hitting Rafa FHs. 

[sugarplum876]

Sek that comment 🤮

[Miss_Vee]

Sugar, you are too much 😂.  I’m with Sek.  Rafa is running a business.  However, I’m stunned to hear that you would have preferred that Rafa help Naomi, rather than Iga.  Lawdhamercy!!!

[Miss_Vee]

On another note, I also found out that although Francisco Roig is slated to be Iga’s Coach, apparently he had appeared in Miami with Mpeshti Perricard.  I would think at this point, he will not be working with GMP.

Mboko had withdrawn from representing Canada at the BJK Cup this week because she had to have wisdom teeth extraction. Think she had surgery April 1st.  She has also hired a new member to her coaching team….Milos Raonic.  His brother was the dental surgeon here in Toronto,  who performed the extraction.  

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Raonic is a good addition, hopefully Mboko adds onto her transition game

Miss_Vee, I did see a comment from GMP where he indicated that he heard of the move by Roig from another source. 

Sounds like Roig did not call to let him know that he was moving to a different assignment.

I don't know who this Roig guy is but I hope he gets Iga back to a level she can compete for the titles with Sabalenka and the other top players.

[Miss_Vee]

Sek, were you not aware that Francisco Roig, was a part of Rafa’s team, along with Moya, after uncle Tony stepped away to focus on Rafa’s academy?  I had seen him and heard his name mentioned a lot, when Moya was head coach.  I think Roig was assistant coach.

Roig was named to Raducanu’s team around September last year, but it wasn’t a successful partnership, because he tried to deconstruct her game, and make her play her forehand like Rafa’s….that big loopy shot.😂

Emma said ….no mas!!! ROFLMAO.  She gave him the boot after Aussie open this year.

I think he should be a better fit for Iga.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Miss_Vee, I only paid attention to Moya after uncle Toni was gone. That explains why Iga recruited him. 

Now, look what just happened, Medvedev double bagel from Berettini. 

[sugarplum876]

Missvee lol , listened yes if I have to pick between the 2 I preferred Naomi’s kind of tennis. Imagined if she would have rafas mindset?

[Miss_Vee]

I know sugar….i agree about Naomi.  Love her tennis, but she’s so weak mentally.  

Sek, I have finally tuned into Monte Carlo, and I was watching Musetti against Vacherot, who is a native Of Monaco.  I had forgotten about that fact.  Anyway the crowd is just as boisterous for Musetti as Vacherot.  Anyway Musetti managed to bring the first set to a tiebreaker, and was up 4-1 at some point, but lost the tiebreaker.

[Miss_Vee]

Btw Sek, I saw the Berrettini beat down in Meddy.😂!  Either Meddy is tired, or he was simply outplayed by a player who is more comfortable on the clay.  Meddy has never been comfortable on clay, and he needs more time as usual.  I think he will be better by Rome or Roland Garros. I cannot believe that he was double bagelled.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Meddy using up all his energy for Carlos, that beat down was embarassing, no professional player should eat a double bagel.  🤣

[Miss_Vee]

Lol Sek!  

It seems that we were spot on about Roig and GMP.  Roig simply took off and did not tell Giovanni that they were no longer working together.  It was an arrangement until Wimbledon.  GMP admits being stunned and hurt by this action, saying that the business side of tennis is ugly.  It seems he has hired another French coach, along with Greg Rudzeski.

I just saw an image of Iga with Roig and Rafa in Mallorca.   I cannot wait to see how she fares in Stuttgart.  I think she’s scheduled to begin clay season there.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Look at Felix winning on clay, I didn't think he even cared about this surface.

[Miss_Vee]

Sek, I’m surprised that you don’t recall that Felix went to South America after his first year on tour, to gain early experience playing on clay.  It was a successful run also, because I think he reached his first final in South America, which he lost.  Felix was always good on clay, even playing Rafa in quarterfinals at RG a few years ago.  He is actually good on clay.  However I don’t think he has any clay court titles.

[Miss_Vee]

I think that Sinner has just lost his record in winning straight sets matches.  Stopped at 35 wins.  Machac seems to be getting stronger as this match goes on.  Sinner’s play seems to be waning.

[Miss_Vee]

I see that Fonseca won easily in str8s against Berrettini, and will face Zverev.  Sinner won the match in the 3rd set.  Think he faces FAA next round.  Have a feeling that he will even make the final.  

[Miss_Vee]

Carlos won the first set easily against Etcheverry 6-1, and then quickly found himself down 1-4.  He is fighting so hard to get back on track in the second set.  Etcheverry just held after a 9 minute game to retain the lead 5-3.  Alcaraz will force Etcheverry to serve for the set….will try is the operative word.  Alcaraz seems to be inconsistent in this set….similar to Sinner in the last match.

[Miss_Vee]

Alcaraz lost the second set, but seems to have a handle on the third set leading 5-2.  However he has had to fight really hard to have this lead.  Anyway, I expect him to win from here.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Miss_Vee, I didn't know that about Felix. His game is so bash bash hardcourts, I didn't think he had the patience for clay.

[Miss_Vee]

As much as you think I favour Shapo over Felix, I also love Felix, and follow his activities on and off the court.  In fact Felix in my mind now has the upper hand on Shapo, because he has remained consistent in his results. Reaching and staying in top 10 is a huge achievement.  Felix has the patience for clay, and he is still young.  I’m hoping that he can sneak out a GS title one day soon.

[Miss_Vee]

Vacherot is one serious ball basher.  I cash it follow the ball trajectory when in flight. 

[Miss_Vee]

I managed to catch a small video clip of Lili Tagger, the 18 year old Austrian tennis player who was up against Samsonova today.  This girl has a beautiful game, very much in the vein of a Federer, or Mauresmo, with a spectacular one handed backhand.  She has been winning in st8s.  I had heard about her last year making lots of noise on the ITF circuit as a 16-17 year old.  Anyway, now she is thrilling Austrian crowds at home, in Linz.  She made her first WTA quarterfinal.  

[Miss_Vee]

I mention Vacherot’s ball bashing style, but he has a massive serve also.  He is about to take out Hurkacz, and if he wins will face Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.

[Miss_Vee]

Oops!  Vacherot will play DeMinaur in the quarters.  Alcaraz will play Bublik.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

I can't believe you put Felix and a grand slam in the same sentence. He is the game but mentally he can not hold it together to win 7 matches.

[Miss_Vee]

One can live in hope Sek 😂!!  I know Felix is feeble minded mentally also.  Truthfully I never think about that possibility.  Don’t know why I ever said it.😂

My Canadian boys are only on tour now to see to collect a great paycheque, while they plan for families and retirement.  What wasted talent, especially Shapo.  If they were stronger mentally, one never knows what they could have achieved at the pro level.

[fedexpress06]

Med needs to fall down a flight of stairs.  I don't care if clay is your worst surface, double-bagel to Matteo who is not even the player he once was after the stunt you pulled against Carlos?  GTFO twat.  Bye.  Please do let the door hit you on the way out and then leave.  have no time for jackasses like that. 

[fedexpress06]

Also apparently Rune is coming back already.  That was a quick recovery/process for that type of injury.  May 16 apparently at Hamburg. 

[sugarplum876]

Fedix 😂😂 I’m actually mad at  Carlos, should not be losing  to yesterday news players.

[Miss_Vee]

It will be interesting to see how Carlos handles Vacherot tomorrow, who has had to slug his way in 3 set matches every round if I’m not mistaken, to reach the semis.  I doubt that he will have enough to trouble Carlos.  However, he seems like a beast of a man….like Stanimal…😂

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Zverev got only 5 games. This guy will never win a slam.

[sugarplum876]

People say never say never, but I agree sek, that vampire can’t even work at night time.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

lol  Sugar. I forgot about the vampire thing. 

There was joke on twitter around Christmas time. Someone posted that "Don't make fun of kids who believe in Santa, there are still adults who believe Zverev will win a slam" 🤣

[Miss_Vee]

Sinner won the first set in a tight tiebreaker set!  Carlos must keep the lead in the second if he wants to have a chance at winning this final.  It’s such a close contest.  I cannot choose!

[Miss_Vee]

I know everyone is in hiding somewhere…..😂.  C’mon y’all!!

[Miss_Vee]

Jannik broke Carlos’ serve from 15-40.  C’mon Carlos, what’s going on?!?  

Anyway Jannik serves for the match.

[Miss_Vee]

What an unbelievable effort from Jannik Sinner.  I had thought maybe he didn’t have enough energy to beat Carlos in this final.  He hoped that he could win this match.  I didn’t think that he would beat Carlos today.  Anyhow, he isn’t playing Barcelona.  Returns for Madrid and Rome.

[nadals]

Sigh. 

[Miss_Vee]

Don’t know what to say anymore.  I like Jannik also, and I think he is getting the most out of his talent, and he is rising past Alcaraz in his ability to remain even keeled during a match.  He has made himself a veritable fortress against any opponent now.  Let’s see what happens in Rome and Roland Garros.  I’m still shaking my head.

[nadals]

I’ll never get past him being caught using steroids. He’ll always be a doper in my mind, just like Iga. 

[Miss_Vee]

It’s not a problem IMO, because I believe that he wasn’t intentionally using it, which was stated by many people in the medical field, including Fedex.

[sugarplum876]

Ay Carlos pues Que te digo….🤦🏻‍♀️

[Miss_Vee]

Sugar, not fair.  I don’t understand Spanish.  Were you cussing out Carlos??😂

[Miss_Vee]

I just had that sentence translated from Spanish.  So you were not cussing him out.  I think the conditions bothered him more than Sinner, whom as I said is able use his mentality to concentrate in tough moments, better than Carlos.

[sugarplum876]

Missvee lol, you could have just asked me,no; I would not cuss at him, you know my feelings about lying sinner but he is a great player. Carlos still needs to work in keeping himself from mental lapses.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Carlos got that career slam, only thing I want to see is him winning more majors, and if he can stop Sinner from winning the FO, that would be great.

[Miss_Vee]

Sek, you may want to see Carlos win Majors only, but I think Carlos knows that he must win Masters and 500 level tournaments also.  

Sugar, I didn’t really think you had cussed Carlos out….lol.  Anyway, I don’t see negative body language from Carlos much, but I saw that today.  The wind played havoc with his shots….with both of them.  Jannik handled the adverse conditions better.  He is mentally so strong.  He had 51 errors in that match today.  Horrendous!  However it didn’t feel that way.

[Miss_Vee]

I read somewhere that Jannik Sinner didn’t start taking tennis seriously until he was 13 years old, and I think he came to the tour at 17 years old.  He had said that his first love was downhill skiing, but then he thought tennis would be better for him, in terms of longevity in a sport.  So then he left home at 13 years old to train somewhere in Italy.  Prior to that he was only playing tennis maybe twice a week.  That’s ridiculous!  He continues to get better everyday.