When you think of tennis legends, you often imagine years of hard work, incredible wins, and unforgettable moments.
But for Romain Arneodo, the journey to his first Masters 1000 title was as much about perseverance as it was about passion.
Arneodo, the Monegasque star, finally saw his dreams come true at the 2025 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters after a long wait filled with highs and lows.
The Wait Was Worth It
For Arneodo and his French doubles partner Manuel Guinard, the road to victory was anything but ordinary.
Their final match against Great Britain’s Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool was delayed due to some unpredictable weather, pushing the match back until after the singles final.
The crowd, undeterred by the cold and wet conditions, stuck around, eager to see how the final chapter of this year’s tournament would unfold.
A Familiar Heartbreak Turned Triumph
Arneodo’s previous experience in Monte-Carlo had been bittersweet.
Two years ago, he made it to the final with his former partner Sam Weissborn, only to fall short in a heartbreaking 14-12 deciding set tie-break against the pair of Dodig/Krajicek.
They had even held two match points during that match, only to lose in the most agonizing of ways.
But this time, Arneodo was determined to rewrite that story.
And this time, he had a new partner in Guinard, and together, they made history.
A Dramatic Finale
The final was nothing short of thrilling. Arneodo and Guinard found themselves facing a tough challenge against Cash and Glasspool, who had previously reached the final in Miami earlier that month.
In an intense match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats, Arneodo and Guinard saved two championship points before ultimately claiming the victory with a 1-6, 7-6 (10/8), 10-8 win.
It was the perfect ending to a tournament that had already seen so much excitement.
The crowd cheered as Arneodo and Guinard celebrated their hard-earned win, knowing they had delivered one of the most memorable moments of the 2025 edition of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
Arneodo Makes History for Monaco
For the 32-year-old Arneodo, this win was deeply personal.
Not only was it his first Masters 1000 title, but he also became the first Monegasque player to win a title in Monte-Carlo.
He is now the second Monegasque ATP Masters 1000 champion in history, following in the footsteps of Hugo Nys, who won in Rome in 2023.
Arneodo’s victory felt even more significant when he reflected on the club where he trains daily.
“Every day I come to practice here, I see the wall where the names of the winners are, and I would always see Krawietz and Putz, who beat us last time,” he said. “And now, I will see my name on that marble.
It’s really important for me because I’m in love with this club.”
A Promise for a Tattoo
In a light-hearted moment during the press conference, Arneodo shared that he had jokingly promised to get a tattoo of the Monte-Carlo Country Club’s logo if he won the title.
He had seen someone at the club sporting a tattoo of the ‘MCCC’ logo, and it inspired the idea.
“It’s very exceptional for me to win this tournament, and I don’t have any tattoos at all. But if I were to get one, it would be this one,” Arneodo said.
A Dream Run for Arneodo and Guinard
What makes Arneodo and Guinard’s victory even more remarkable is that they entered the tournament as wild card entrants.
Despite their outsider status, they left Monte-Carlo as champions, proving that hard work and belief in themselves can lead to unexpected and unforgettable success.
This win was the perfect conclusion to a tournament that had showcased the talent and determination of both players.
With the title now in hand, Arneodo and Guinard’s names will go down in Monte-Carlo history, forever etched in the legacy of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
The Future Looks Bright
For Arneodo, this victory is just the beginning. With his first Masters 1000 title secured, the future holds endless possibilities.
The journey from heartbreak to triumph is a story he’ll never forget, and as he looks ahead, one thing is for sure: Romain Arneodo’s name will be remembered as one of the greats in Monte-Carlo tennis history.
