Stepping onto the iconic red-clay courts of the Monte Carlo Country Club, it’s hard not to be struck by the sheer beauty of the surroundings: The sparkling Mediterranean Sea glistening in the distance, and the red-clay courts fenced by stone masonry dating back to the early 1900s.
The Monte Carlo Country Club has a rich history starting when the club's founders, a group of British expatriates and tennis aficionados, sought to create a haven for tennis enthusiasts on the French Riviera. Starting in 1897 with the inaugural Monte Carlo Masters, the club has become a premier destination on the tennis circuit for high-profile tournaments and among the glitziest backdrops for drop ins and visitors from around the globe.
As a first-time visitor to this event, I was excited to experience the thrill of world-class tennis in one of the most picturesque settings imaginable, and I vowed to return one day to play on the courts myself—either as a visitor or as a participant in the ultra-exclusive media tournament the club hosts each year alongside the Masters 1000 tournament. Until that day arrives, I'm sharing my tips for first-time attendees to help visitors navigate this bucket-list event.