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Day: 12 April 2022

Djokovic crashes out in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

by: Luke Entwistle
12/04/2022

The scores of spectators who flocked to the blustery Monte-Carlo Country Club on Tuesday witnessed the shock of the tournament as Novak Djokovic was knocked out, whilst Monaco players’ woes continued. Here’s a round up of the highlights of days three and four of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. 

In a tournament that has so far been defined by shock exits, the greatest scalp of them all was pulled off by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on the main court on Tuesday evening. Starved of court-time since his high-profile, high-drama deportation from Australia in January, Novak Djokovic’s lack of action showed.

Fokina, a clay court specialist ranked 46th in the world, began at a blistering pace and never relented. Breaking the world number 1 twice early-on, he expertly managed the remainder of the set to take a surprise lead.

Coming into the second set, there was no let up from Fokina, who continued to pile the pressure on Djokovic, breaking him on his first service game. He may be short of match practice, but certainly not short of experience and the Serb all so often prevails in the big moments. He soon broke back before the two shared breaks of serve before a tie-break.

Djokovic prevailed (7-5) to take the match to a deciding set, prompting a moment of spontaneous passion as he roared at the crowd, throwing up his arms in an attempt to jee them up. Truthfully, the gesture wasn’t for the crowd, but rather for himself, as he tried to restart a motor that hasn’t really got going since his infamous misadventure Down Under.

That stuttering motor ran out of fuel in the third set. As emphatic and impressive as Fokina was, it was clear that Djokovic was spent, ultimately losing 6-3, 6-7, 6-1.

A dejected Djokovic admitted to Monaco Life post-match that, on the day, his opponent was too strong for him. “He could have won this match in straight sets,” the Serbian began. “I just kind of fought my way through the third, but then I physically completely collapsed, I couldn’t move any more.”

A premature end to Djokvic’s tournament means he now sets his sights on the French Open slightly earlier than he would have expected. “I’m not going to stop here, I’m going to keep going and hopefully build my form for Roland Garros. That’s the big goal of the clay season.”

Heartbreak for Catarina

In one of the tensest matches of the tournament thus far, home favourite Lucas Catarina, ranked 430th, was cruelly foiled in his attempt to pull off an unlikely upset on Tuesday. An inferior ranking relative to his American opponent Taylor Fritz (ranked 13th) didn’t deter the Monegasque player, who went on the attack from the off.

He immediately broke Fritz in the first game, and went on to take the game to the American, his aggression and energy went unmatched, and spectators could have been fooled into imagining that it was in fact Catarina who had the far superior ranking.

A double-fault from Catarina gave his opponent a route back into the set, as the two entered into a tie-break. Fritz looked to have sealed the set, but with three set points, Catarina fought back to shock his opponent and take a surprise advantage heading into the second set.

Fritz fought back immediately, breaking Catarina in the first set. In each moment of hardship for Catarina, there was a feeling that Fritz would simply run away with it, but that never happened, and Catarina broke back. Just like in the first, the second set went to a tie-break. This one controversially went the way of the American, a late let call deprived Catarina of an already won point, and Fritz took full advantage to draw level.

It felt as though the chance of causing an upset had slipped away from Catarina, a feeling that was only exacerbated by the doctor, who frequented Catarina’s bench as he struggled with a thigh issue.

His body may have been failing him, but his competitive spirit remained intact as he broke Fritz in the opening game of the third set. When Fritz broke back midway through the third set momentum was finally on the side of the American.

In the closing stages, the tension in the Court des Princes could have been cut with a knife, but it was the American who prevailed, breaking his opponent one final time, as a Catarina double fault unsatisfyingly decided the game. (6-7, 7-6, 6-4). A valiant effort from Catarina, who had almost been written off pre-match, and whose performance perhaps meritted more.

Catarina was torn between pride and disappointment following the emotionally and physically demanding battle. “I am more disappointed than happy with my performance because I lost. Maybe later when I’m calmer, I’ll tell myself that a player ranked 430th in the world could hold his own against someone ranked 13th.”

Monegasque involvement in the tournament was definitively ended just hours later. Hugo Nys, who lost against Jaume Munar on Saturday, and Romain Arneodo lost in a doubles thriller to Diego Schwartzman and Dan Evans (6-4, 5-7, 10-12). A day of Monegasque disappointment that was defined by ultra-fine margins, and could so easily have gone the other way, in both matches.

Blue Monday for big names

Dreams of a fairytale farewell for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who was playing in his final ever Monte-Carlo Masters, were dashed by the experienced Marin Cilic on Monday (2-6, 2-6). The Frenchman announced his retirement last week, and will end his career at the French Open, which begins in Paris next month.

Stan Wawrinka befell a similar fate. The Swiss player is making his return following a lengthy injury lay-off, and didn’t have enough to beat Kazakh Alexander Bublik, who won in three sets (6-3, 5-7, 2-6).

Former Monte-Carlo Masters winner and three-time grand slam winner Wawrinka, was nonetheless pleased with his comeback, having been sidelined for 13 months with injury. “I knew coming here that I’m not physically and tennis-wise ready. I think it was much better than I was expecting today.”

With big names falling by the wayside at an alarming rate, those left in will be licking their lips at the thought of winning the first title of the clay court season. Stefanos Tsitsipas was emphatic on Tuesday night, brushing aside Fabio Fognini in straight sets (3-6, 0-6), whilst Alexander Zverev, Brit Cameron Norrie and a handful of other hopefuls are already in the round of 32 and will be in action on Wednesday. None of them need extra motivation, but Djokovic’s exit will have raised rivals’ eyebrows, and could also raise their games,with the competition thrown wide open.

See highlights of the game in our Instagram videos below…

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcQ1sNNMkFr/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

MAC members christen Em Sherif at networking lunch

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/04/2022

The Monaco Ambassadors Club have hit the town for a series of lunches to celebrate the highly anticipated opening of Em Sherif, the new Lebanese-Mediterranean restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris.

With the lofty aim of actively promoting the Principality’s reputation through works and events in the areas of the environment, well-being, the economy and culture, the Monaco Ambassadors Club (MAC) also manages to have plenty of fun.

Members were invited to attend one of the opening lunches for the newest Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) restaurants, Em Sherif at the Hôtel de Paris, which were held last week, serving up delicious Lebanese-Mediterranean fare in a gorgeous setting.

During the lunches, the MAC representatives emphasised the importance of the Club’s mission.

MAC members enjoying a lunch at Em Sherif

The club defends the image of the Principality through its economic, medical and environmental actions, support for the business world, art and culture. It was therefore pleased to be able to support this new restaurant and the economic actions of the SBM, a key player in Monaco.

The members have more culinary delights in store for them as MAC prepares to host another similar event next month for the opening of Pavyllon, Yannick Alléno’s latest creation at the Hermitage Hotel.

The Monaco Ambassadors Club offers members a chance to make lasting connections and friendships with others living in the Principality through their common belief in the “art of living”.

The club, which has been around for almost 50 years, was first established by Princess Grace as a way to gather people from different cultures and backgrounds that may not otherwise meet, to become honorary emissaries for their adopted home.

They hold several events throughout the year, including their annual Goodwill Gala, where one person is selected for their stand-out contributions to the Principality and their profession to become the club’s Goodwill Ambassador.

 

 

 

Photos provided by MAC

 

 

 

Monaco funding effective HIV treatments for children

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/04/2022

The government of Monaco has thrown its support behind the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, a programme that makes available proper treatment to children living with HIV.

Staggering statistics from the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) show that nearly half of all children living with HIV worldwide are not receiving proper treatment.

The figures show that almost 800,000 children, the vast majority living in Sub-Saharan Africa, are not getting the medicines they need. This number represents roughly half of all children who have been diagnosed with HIV globally. Without treatment, half the children born with HIV die before the age of two.

South Africa’s childhood HIV numbers stand at 310,000, though only 47% are receiving the receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) they require to survive. In Senegal, only a third of the estimated 4,000 children with HIV have access to ART.

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, a Monaco-funded project, aims to change that by getting the child-adjusted doses of ART medicines to the struggling nations.

In South Africa, DNDi is helping to push through the regulatory agencies a new “taste-masked” combination treatment that will make a big difference in getting children to take the necessary medicines. The current drugs have a bitter taste that makes it difficult for doctors to get children to take.

In Senegal, the programme will strive to contribute to strengthening local capacities for the diagnosis and treatment of HIV in children through training of health personnel and local communities.

“The Government of the Principality of Monaco is delighted with this partnership with DNDi, for the benefit of children with HIV in two of its partner countries, South Africa and Senegal,” said Bénédicte Schutz, Special Representative of Monaco for International Cooperation. “This health partnership is in line with the priorities of the Monegasque Cooperation, with the most vulnerable as the core target. We hope that advances in terms of HIV diagnosis and treatment will soon benefit as many people as possible, so that no one is left behind,”

The DNDi project is one of some 150 projects supported by the government of Monaco in 11 countries. The government focuses aid on four key areas of intervention: health, food and nutrition security, education and child protection, and access to decent work options.

 

 

Photo by Ariane Mawaffo, DNDi

 

 

 

 

 

AS Monaco Basketball: the most in-form side in Europe?

by: Luke Entwistle
12/04/2022

The Roca Team registered yet another victory on Sunday, this time against a battling Le Portel side in the Betclic Elite. Amongst the European elite, few bolster such impressive statistics in recent times.

The victory against Le Portel (70-82) was the latest in an increasingly impressive streak that stretches back many weeks. AS Monaco Basketball are now unbeaten in all competitions in the last five, have 13 wins in their last 14 matches, and have now registered eight consecutive victories in the domestic division. Overall, their recent record makes fine reading.

Few in Europe, if any, can rival such a record. The only other side to have won all five of their last Euroleague matches is Maccabi Tel Aviv, although the Israeli side succumbed to defeat in their domestic division over the weekend. Euroleague table-toppers Barca are experiencing a dip in form, whilst other European stalwarts, who finished in the play-off positions such as Milano and Olympiacos, have both been defeated by this charging Roca Team. To say that they are the most in-form elite side in Europe therefore isn’t a baseless, hyperbolic statement, but a genuinely possible one grounded by hard stats.

The latest victory never really looked in doubt. A strong opening quarter (19-28) laid the foundations for a comfortable afternoon’s work. From there, Monaco merely needed to maintain their advantage, a task which they accomplished dutifully with some excellent defending in the second-half in particular.

Will Thomas, who Oleksiy Yefimov recently described as the “glue” of the team in an exclusive interview with Monaco Life, ended the match as top scorer with 17 points. MIke James (14), Alpha Diallo (13) and Dwayne Bacon (12) also made very meaningful contributions as, despite the short turnaround, Monaco fielded a strong side.

The victory (70-82) leaves the Roca Team level on wins with Betclic Elite table-toppers Boulogne-Levallois with seven games left in the regular season. Although their play-off place is all but assured, Monaco will nonetheless want to keep confidence high ahead of the upcoming play-off matches against Olympiacos, and continue their impressive run as they face Dijon on Tuesday.

 

 

Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball 

 

 

 

Monaco’s Olympic heroes honoured at home

by: Luke Entwistle
12/04/2022

In recognition of their record-breaking performance in Beijing in February, bobsledders Rudy Rinaldi and Boris Vain received their Olympic diplomas from Prince Albert II at a presentation on Thursday.

The bobsledding duo broke records for the Monegasque Olympic team at the 2022 Winter Olympics. A sixth place finish was the best achieved by any Monegasque Olympian, in any event.

In recognition of that incredible feat, the Olympians were welcomed by Prince Albert II, a handful of government ministers and Yvette Lambin Berti, Secretary General of the Monegasque Olympic Committee. The latter sought to reflect on the work one in order to bring Monegasque sport to this point.

“These results are the fruit of an unprecedented work dynamic,” she said, highlighting structural reforms which have put the emphasis on sport in schools in particular.

Returning to the achievements made by this cohort of Olympians, Prince Albert said, “Through your performances, you contribute to Monaco shining on the international stage, and to the promotion of our values.” He continued, “You are ambassadors of our country and you have marvellously carried out your mission.”

Those words applied not only to the record-breaking bobsledders, but also to Monaco flag-bearer Alessandria Arnaud, who secured 13th in the Men’s Downhill, the best result of any Monegasque skier.

As well as reflecting on the achievements of the past, the presentation was an opportunity to also look to the future. With Paris 2024 just two years away, Prince Albert II is hoping for another strong Olympic performance. “My objective for Paris, our objective with the Monegasque Olympic committee, is to back-up these excellent results not only in Beijing but also in Tokyo.”

The foundations of future Olympic success have been laid, now it is time to build on them.

 

 

Photo by Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

 

 

 

Fast fashion in the crosshairs

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/04/2022

TAF -The Animal Fund hosted a conference during Monaco Ocean Week and, with its partner R4.Clothing, gave an eye-opening presentation about the effects of fast fashion on the health of the planet, as well as offering an insightful talk about sustainable investment by 2PM Monaco Personal Portfolio Management.

The Animal Fund (TAF), a non-profit marine conservation organisation with a focus on protecting the ocean and its whales and dolphins, hosted events during Monaco Ocean Week including a real family affair.

Co-founding brothers of local sustainable fashion brand R4.Clothing Angelo and Tino Legrand, and their environmentally-conscious investment banker father Louis Legrand, from 2PM Monaco Personal Portfolio Management, spoke about how fast-fashion affects the planet and how investing in sustainable companies is the way forward.

Before the conference, they spoke to Monaco Life, giving insights into their own reasons why the environment and business need not be oceans apart.

Angelo Legrand, a 24-year-old with the soul of someone much older, has created a company with brother Tino that he hopes will disrupt the fast-fashion world through his sustainable brand of clothing that is taking an “A to Z” approach, including knowing where the materials they use are grown all the way through to how the end products are shipped and transported.

“We launched approximately a year ago…it feels like 10 years but it also feels like two months,” said Angelo. “We’ve made quite a lot of progress and we are at a stage where we’ve launched two collections with eight different products and had really good feedback. We’ve launched on different platforms with different points of sale and we’re getting to the point where we either keep it like that or we make it a proper business, so to speak.

“It is a sign and a hope that we are moving in the right direction, generally speaking, thanks to and in parallel with other sustainable companies. The feedback has been really good.”

But the most important aspect to Angelo is that the growth of his company happens in a way that is compatible with the environment and with a sharp move away from fast fashion, which has dominated the scene for decades.

“It’s one of the pitfalls so far, simply because if you think about it on a global scale, let’s say 99% of the population are buying fast fashion items,” he said.

At R4.Clothing, we are not doing rocket science, we’re not innovating some crazy product. We’re essentially doing the same thing only adding a few twists that ensures everything is sustainable on our side. That includes choosing the right fabrics, the right locations, using packaging that’s not plastic, having a certain return-scheme. All of these things are small tweaks.

“I have a very simple belief. I’m not an expert in economics but I know how supply and demand works. If we can increase the number of companies that have the same sensibility with regard to fashion, slowly there is going to be an increase in demand in organic cotton and other types of packaging.”

And he believes the people of his generation are poised to take advantage.

“It’s going to be a long journey but it’s starting now, and I think that our generation is all about making sustainability interesting, moving away from the ambiguity of it,” says Angelo. “Our generation is going to make sure that there are business opportunities out of it. We’re going to make money and be sustainable. It’s very interesting. It’s promising.”

TAF Founder Berit Legrand with Angelo and Louis Legrand

Moving onto the investment side, CEO of 2PM Monaco Louis Legrand told Monaco Life how his firm contributes from an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) perspective.

“The ESG concept is something that everybody knows,” said Louis Legrand. “In fact, it has existed for many years. There is mounting pressure from public and private organisations to change the course of the bad things that have been done so far to the environment.

“We are applying it to our business and also in the fashion world, we have strong new regulations being put in place in Europe with the European Green Pact. After Covid, there was a big packet of billions and billions that are to be invested towards a more sustainable economy.

“We will, as fund managers, be forced to invest in ESG products, and we will have to report and disclose how much of our investments we dedicate to ESG, which is already at a good point.”

Louis Legrand knows the upside to this type of investment as far as clientele is concerned, but he also made clear he is aware there are those who use the buzzwords simply to get business without actually adhering to the concept.

“Unfortunately, it has been used as a marketing tool by institutions, but you need to do something different,” he says. “Proper ESG from an ethical point of view should be what it is – you should redistribute part of the revenue and have an impactful investing policy in order to redistribute the revenues you earn in a different way to support a more sustainable world. For example, we have set aside 20% of revenues generated by our ESG fund The Golden Peak Greentrack Fund for sustainable projects starting in 2023.”

 

 

Photo by Monaco Life