The Monte Carlo Open Tennis Masters is Monaco's big sporting event of the year. It takes place on the clay courts of the Monte Carlo Country Club (MCCC), located at the eastern extremity of Monaco in the area called Saint Roman. In fact a small part of the club is actually in France.

Nadal has won for the last three years, beating Federer in the last two finals.

If you only have a passing interest, you can see some action for free, by walking up above the Club to the Saint Roman high street, which has good views of some of the back courts. You'll have to jostle for a place as the idea has caught on in recent years.

Dates: 21-27 April 2008



Getting there

CAR
If you come by car you should park in Monaco and then take the bus. Parking is likely to be a problem in the car parks close to the Club.

BUS
If you're coming from Monaco, take the town bus marked Tenao to the final stop. The bus is free on presentation of a ticket for the tennis. There's also a free shuttle from the Quai des Etats Unis in the port and you can take the Boat Bus across the port to the shuttle, also for free, if you have a ticket.

TRAIN
Better still, take the train. The SNCF French Railways open a station specially for this event, right next to the tennis club. So, if you're coming from Nice, don't get off at Monaco, instead continue to the special station called "Monte Carlo Country Club".

WALK
You can walk, if in you're in Monaco and have time to kill. A scenic route is along the sea front, past the Larvotto and Le Beach. A more direct route is along the elevated "voie rapide".

Bring a hat, sunglasses, a bottle of water and sun cream !