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David Massey: “A historic edition for the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters.”

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During the final press conference of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters, tournament director David Massey drew an enthusiastic balance: “We are on the verge of breaking our record once more. We will surpass the historic milestone of 150,000 spectators,” he announced. A turnout that testifies to the growing strength of the tournament, which remains one of the circuit’s most beloved events.

Massey stressed the importance of the expansion of the site, with the introduction of the new Village des joueurs: “We have enlarged the site by 35 percent, creating what I believe is the best players’ village in the world for tennis.” A change welcomed by the athletes, who now travel with real teams: “The players come with coaches, physical trainers, physiotherapists… it’s a bit like a Formula 1 driver, with a whole team in tow.”

Among the most notable innovations is the introduction of electronic refereeing. “We were the first Masters 1000 on clay to implement the ELC Live system, with the collaboration of Hawk-Eye,” explained Massey, emphasizing the historic significance of the move. “We have always valued line judges, but at the ATP’s request we have embraced this transition, also integrating artificial intelligence.”

The director did not hide his excitement about a possible triumph for the home favorite: “Romain had match points last year…if he wins today, he would be the first player from Monaco to triumph here. It would be something historic.”

On future prospects, Massey confirmed plans for expansion, but with longer timelines: “We have ideas to develop the site further, but it will take two or three years before they are visible.” The goal is also to improve the audience experience: “We are now satisfied with the player spaces, so the focus will be on welcoming fans.”

On the possible introduction of a women’s tournament, he clarified, “There are no concrete plans at the moment, but we are open to the idea. If it is ever done, it will be a combined event.” However, he strongly defended the current format: “Our nine-day model works. We have a 56-player scoreboard and competitive matches from the first round.”

Finally, to those who asked about possible changes in the ATP calendar, Massey wryly replied, “Better to turn the question over to the ATP,” while acknowledging that “longer tournaments, like Indian Wells and Miami, have offered more tennis to more spectators.”

With a smile, he concluded, “If we are able to repeat an edition like this again next year, it will already be an extraordinary achievement for us and the whole team.”

Carlo Galati

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Premier League 2024-2025: Bournemouth-Fulham, the likely lineups

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The match between Bournemouth and Fulham, to be staged Monday night at 9 p.m. at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, will close the 32nd day of the Premier League. The hosts have not won in the league since Feb. 15, against Southampton. In the last three Premier League matches the Cherries have had one draw and two defeats. Currently, the Iraola-coached team is 10th in the Premier League, but with one game less, and 45 points to their credit from 31 games played.

Fulham, on the other hand, comes the challenge against Bournemouth after a resounding 3-2 home win against Liverpool. The London team is currently in eighth place in the standings, and it too has one game less. The team coached by Marco Silva has scored 48 points in 31 matches played.

The bosses should reconfirm the same formation that took the field in the 2-2 draw in the last league game against West Ham. So a 4-2-3-1 with Kepa in goal. The two center backs should be Huijsen and Zabarnyi. As right-back Smith should act, while on the left Kerkez. The two midfielders in all likelihood should be Cook and Adams. Behind the only forward who will be Evanilson, Ouattara on the left and Semenyo on the right will act on the flanks. The trequartista could be Scott.

The London team, on the other hand, is expected to line up with the same form adopted in the 3-2 victory over Liverpool. So, too, Fulham with the 4-2-3-1. Defending the goal will be Leno, with the two center-backs in front of him being Andersen and Ughelumna. On the right will be Castagne, and on the left Robinson. The two midfielders in front of the defense will be, Lukic and Berge. Sessegnon, Pereira and Iwobi to support the only forward who should be Cavalho.

Probable lineups

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Adams; Semenyo, Scott, Ouattara; Evanilson. Coach: Iraola.

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Andersen; Ughelumna; Castagne; Lukic; Berge; Sessegnon; Pereira;Iwobi; Cavalho.Coach: Da Silva.

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Serie A 2024-2025: Napoli-Empoli, the likely lineups

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Napoli and Empoli will close the 32nd day of Serie A. The challenge will be the Monday night postponement at 8:45 p.m. at the Stadio Maradona. Napoli is still in full fight with Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan for the Scudetto, while Empoli absolutely must find salvation points to avoid relegation to Serie B. The Conte-coached lineup in the last round against Bologna had a chance to shorten in the standings on the Nerazzurri stopped by Parma. But the Rossoblù stopped the Azzurri, not changing the distance between the two clubs.

D’Aversa’s Empoli, on the other hand, is living a completely opposite situation from Napoli. The Tuscans are in the midst of the struggle not to relegate. The distance from the fourth last place, useful for salvation, is occupied by Lecce is only 2 points away. The Azzurri come from only 3 points in the last five. Victory since the start of the new year in Serie A, has yet to come with success missing for D’Aversa’s men even since the 15th day of Serie A.

For the postponement against Empoli, Antonio Conte will be without two important players, Di Lorenzo and Anguissa, both absent due to disqualification. In the Azzurri’s 4-3-3, Mazzocchi is in pole to replace Di Lorenzo on the right flank, with Rrahmani, Juan Jesus (given Buongiorno’s injury) and Olivera completing the defense in front of the usual Meret. In midfield the number one suspect to replace Anguissa, should be Gilmour with Lobotka and McTominay completing the department. Up front, a possible start from the bench once again for Raspadori, with Conte intent on confirming the trident Neres, Lukaku and Politano.

Empoli in goal, given Silvestri’s stoppage, will most likely field Vazquez again as a starter, with the defensive trio of Goglichidze, Marianucci and Viti in front of him. On the outsides, Gyasi could return from 1′ on the right with Pezzella ready to act on the left. In the middle Grassi and Henderson should be reconfirmed. Finally, the two trequartisti behind the only point Colombo will probably be Cacace and Esposito.

Probable lineups

Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Mazzocchi, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera; Gilmour, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Neres. Coach: Antonio Conte.

Empoli (3-4-2-1): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Marianucci, De Sciglio; Gyasi, Grassi, Henderson, Pezzella; Esposito, Fazzini; Colombo. Coach: Roberto D’Aversa.

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Luka Modric looks to the future: he will be minority owner of Swansea

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Luka Modric has no intention of hanging up his boots, but at the same time he is starting to chart his own path for the post-career. Real Madrid’s Croatian star player, at almost 40 years of age, is ready to sign a new contract with the Blancos, confirming his desire to remain a key player next season. However, like more and more active soccer players, Modric has also decided to face the managerial world, laying the groundwork for a future off the field.

The midfielder will in fact be one of the minority owners of Swansea City, a Welsh club that plays in the Championship, the second tier of English soccer. The agreement with the club has already been reached, and Modric thus joins the growing list of players who are investing in football clubs while they are still active. A strategic choice, which testifies to foresight and passion for the game in another respect as well.

The best-known examples include Kylian Mbappé, who bought 80 percent of Caen (a Ligue 2 club), and Sadio Mané, who took over Bourges Foot 18, a team in the French fourth division. Modric, for his part, has chosen to start on tiptoe, as a minority partner, but it is clear that his connection with soccer will continue well beyond his extraordinary playing career.

The club’s relationship with the club will continue well beyond his extraordinary playing career.

For now, however, Luka remains focused on Real Madrid and his upcoming La Liga and Champions League commitments. The future can wait, but the vision is already clear: Modric will continue to be a protagonist, on and off the field.

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