Name: Basketball: AS Monaco vs PANATHINAIKOS AKTOR ATHENS
Start: 2025-04-03T19:00:00+02:00
End: 2025-04-03T21:00:00+02:00
Location: Salle Gaston Médecin

Grand Master launches in Beausoleil as Pastor reveals next moves for A1 Padel

by: Niki Borisova

21/03/2025

A1 Padel’s 2025 Grand Master season kicks off in Beausoleil, with rising stars on court and president Fabrice Pastor revealing bold global ambitions for the fast-growing sport.

The A1 Padel circuit has arrived in Beausoleil for the first Grand Master of the 2025 season, taking place from 21st to 30th March at Tennis Padel Beausoleil Club. The tournament marks the fifth stage of the season and features some of the top-ranked players in international padel.

Beausoleil has become a significant stop on the A1 Padel circuit. Cristina Pastor, head of Tennis Padel Beausoleil Club, spotlighted the quality of this year’s competition, stating that the tournament will once again attract an elite lineup. With 48 teams competing, the Grand Master offers the highest prize money and ranking points on the circuit.

See more: Beausoleil set to host A1 Padel France’s first Grand Master tournament of 2025

Monaco Life attended the opening day of the tournament on 21st March, where the Argentine duo Joaquín Gaitán Bernardi and Facundo Maier claimed a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Spanish pair José Luis Begines and Alonso Lorenzo in the Round of 64.

21-year-old Gaitán, from La Francia, Argentina, is an emerging player on the circuit, competing primarily on the right side, with a 60% match win rate in the 2023 season. His partner, Maier, is also part of Argentina’s promising generation of padel players.

Pastor on padel’s global push

Fabrice Pastor, president of A1 Padel, was present at the opening match of the A1 Padel Grand Master France. Monaco Life sat down with him at the tournament to discuss the sport’s rapid international expansion and his plans for its future.“It’s incredible—we’re really climbing at top speed,” Pastor said.

Pastor pointed out that padel’s growth is not just limited to Europe. “I was in Los Angeles two weeks ago, and they’re planning to build eight more padel clubs there,” he said. “But it’s not just in the U.S.; the sport is expanding rapidly in France as well. This is the first 2025 Grand Master in Europe, and we chose to hold it here in Beausoleil to thank the club and Cristina Pastor for everything they’ve done for padel.”

He also revealed to Monaco Life that A1 Padel has signed a strategic deal with 54, a global sports and entertainment agency known for its transformative work in the golf industry. “They created a new league in golf, and now they’ve partnered with A1 Padel,” Pastor said, adding, “We’re about to revolutionise padel, and we’ll be announcing it next week—so stay tuned.”

Pastor believes France has the potential to become a major player in the sport but noted the need for greater commitment from French athletes. “This tournament in France is a way to showcase how padel should grow here—bigger tournaments, bigger stages,” he explained. “There are many French players, but we don’t yet have a top-ranked one. They need to commit more.”

*Fabrice Pastor, president of A1 Padel, sat down with Monaco Life for an exclusive interview. Photo by Monaco Life.*

A1 Padel has strong ties to Monaco, where Pastor is based. “Monaco plays a big role in A1 Padel,” he said. “It’s a Monegasque company, and this year’s Grand Master of Monaco will be held under the high patronage of Prince Albert II.” The 2025 edition of the tournament will take place in Port Hercule, featuring three courts, a VIP area, and a significantly expanded setup. “It will be one of the biggest padel events we’ve ever organised,” Pastor revealed.

Beyond organising high-profile tournaments, Pastor has been actively supporting young players. “For 12 years, I’ve run the Fabrice Pastor Cup, a tour designed to help aspiring padel players turn professional,” he said. “We sponsor them and provide a seamless transition to A1 Padel. That’s why we have so many young players in the circuit today.”

Pastor’s passion for the sport comes from personal experience—he was once a professional padel player himself, reaching 69th in the World Padel Tour rankings. “I saw that padel needed a change,” he said. “It had to be done the right way, and that’s why I’m so involved with A1 Padel today.”

A1 Padel is already featured on major networks such as ESPN, Disney Plus, La Liga, and TV Monaco, but Pastor has even bigger plans. “We’re adding Russian TV networks, as well as Greece and Cyprus,” he revealed. “We’ve already sold TV rights in Russia, and my goal is to organise a tournament there as well.”

Looking further ahead, he hinted at A1 Padel’s next move. “We’re currently in 36 countries, and I’m planning to take it to Asia next,” he said.

The France tournament will continue throughout the week, culminating in the finals on the 30th March.

Check out Monaco Life’s reel below from the Grand Master opening day:

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All photos by Monaco Life.

Kirsty Coventry, friend of Monaco’s Princely couple, voted President of the International Olympic Committee

by: Elsa Carpenter

21/03/2025

Kirsty Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer from Zimbabwe and friend to both Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife, Princess Charlene, has been elected as the new President of the International Olympic Committee. She is set to take over from outgoing leader Thomas Bach in June.

On 20th March, Kirsty Coventry became the first woman and the first person from Africa to become President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – a role often described as the most powerful job in the world of sport.

She beat out stiff competition, including the UK’s Lord Sebastian Coe, also a former Olympian, and France’s David Lappartient, the current President of the Union Cycliste Internationale, to earn the majority of the votes.

“This is an extraordinary moment,” said Coventry in her victory speech. “As a nine-year-old girl, I never thought I’d be standing up here one day, getting to give back to this incredible movement of ours.”

She continued, “This is not just a huge honour but it is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organisation with so much pride, with the values at the core… Sport has an unmatched power to unite, inspire and create opportunities for all, and I am committed to making sure we harness that power to its fullest. The future of the Olympic movement is bright, and I can’t wait to get started.”

A storied career

Coventry is the current Minister of Sport, Art and Recreation in Zimbabwe. She was first elected as an IOC Member as a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission in 2013 and held the role until 2021, when she became an individual member. The 41-year-old retired swimmer was elected Chair of the IOC Athletes Commission in 2018, becoming a member of the IOC Executive Board in the process.

Over the course of her swimming career, the Harare native represented Zimbabwe at five Olympic Games, beginning with the Sydney Games in 2000 and concluding with Rio in 2016. She has won seven Olympic medals – two gold, four silver, one bronze – making her the nation’s most decorated athlete.

She has also won three long-course World Championship gold medals and four short-course titles, as well as a Commonwealth Games gold and 14 African Games golds.

Coventry’s connection to Monaco

Prince Albert, a former Olympian himself, has been an IOC Member since 1985 and has held numerous positions within the organisation, including being Chair of the Sport and Environment Committee between 2014 and 2015, as well as the Chair of the Sustainability and Legacy Committee since 2015, a role he continues to hold.

The Prince was among the audience at the 144th session of the IOC, during which Coventry’s new post at the head of the organisation was confirmed.

In a statement released by the Palais Princier de Monaco following the event, Prince Albert reaffirmed his “dedication to Olympic ideals” and extended his “heartfelt congratulations to Kirsty Coventry on this new chapter in Olympic history”.

Coventry is also a long-time friend of Princess Charlene of Monaco. Both completed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and Coventry was invited to travel to the Principality to train back in 2011 at the behest of the Princess.

Coventry will take over from the outgoing president, Thomas Bach, on 23rd June.

Read related:

Monaco officially crowned 2025 World Capital of Sport at palace ceremony

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: IOC / Greg Martin

Basketball: Roca Team return to winning ways against Fenerbahçe

by: Niki Borisova

21/03/2025

AS Monaco Basketball’s Mike James led his side to a solid EuroLeague win over Fenerbahçe with an incredible 29 points to his name alone. The victory was crucial in keeping the Roca Team in contention for a top-four finish in the league.

After two straight defeats in EuroLeague, AS Monaco returned to winning ways on 20th March at home in the Salle Gaston Médecin, defeating Turkish side Fenerbahçe 91-82 in a crucial match for Top Four positioning.

The match, a rematch of last season’s quarterfinal playoff series won by Fenerbahçe over five games, had significant implications for the final phase of the regular season. With playoff qualification still open, both sides were under pressure.

Monaco’s Coach Vassilis Spanoulis made some tactical adjustments ahead of tip-off, choosing to leave out Greek centre Georgios Papagiannis. Injured players Nick Calathes and Vitto Brown were also absent, but Daniel Theis returned and was named in the starting five alongside Mike James, Elie Okobo, Alpha Diallo and Jaron Blossomgame.

Despite Monaco missing four of their first attempts from long range, they remained within reach throughout the opening quarter, which ended 28-26 in favour of the visitors.

The second quarter saw Monaco regain the lead after a 14-2 run, sparked by increased defensive intensity and shooting from distance.

“We had to react after the recent poor performances,” said James. “We played our game offensively and stayed united defensively when it mattered. Every game in EuroLeague is tough, especially against a team like that.”

By halftime, James had already posted 19 points, and Monaco led 47-43.

See more: Basketball: Monaco’s Mike James achieves new heights as member of All-25 EuroLeague Team

The third quarter was slower in pace, with both teams struggling to score consistently. Okobo and Jordan Loyd helped maintain Monaco’s slight advantage, and a three-pointer from Loyd in the final minute gave Monaco a 63-58 edge heading into the fourth quarter.

Spanoulis then rotated his players, giving minutes to Mam Jaiteh, whose early contribution extended the lead to nine points. A late surge from Fenerbahçe brought the score to 73-71, but Monaco pulled away once again, notably through two three-pointers from James—including one from long range—that restored the gap.

Ultimately, Monaco would control the closing minutes to secure the win, a result that keeps them in the running for a Top Four finish in the EuroLeague.

“This was a very important game against a direct competitor,” said Monaco’s Coach Vassilis Spanoulis post-match. “I’m happy with the win, it was a collective success thanks to good defence. We raised our level at the right moment. Every player fought on the court, and that’s the spirit we need to win games in EuroLeague.”

Read related:

AS Monaco Basketball’s VIP courtside zone renamed Zondacrypto Lounge

Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball

Discovery of 5th-century cathedral in Vence offers tantalising glimpse into the region’s history

by: Stephanie Horsman

21/03/2025

A remarkable piece of history has resurfaced in the heart of Vence. During renovations on a historical building, workers unearthed the remains of what is believed to be the city’s first cathedral, which could date to the 5th century. This unexpected discovery, which measures over 300m², could shed new light on the early ecclesiastical history of the region.

The discovery of a long-hidden—and long-forgotten—cathedral in Vence earlier this month has caused quite a stir. As workers dug down through the floor of the dated Halles Surian building, which is being transformed into a modern market-like facility, they uncovered the remains of a vast structure believed to be more than 1,500 years old.

“The archaeological remains appeared immediately below the current traffic level,” confirms a spokesperson for the city of Vence. “The building, which measures over 300 m², has a rectangular plan, 30 metres long and 11.50 metres wide, with two apses at the eastern end.”

Experts from the Archaeology Department of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis were promptly alerted, and their preliminary assessment suggests that these remains belong to an Early Christian cathedral, possibly constructed during the episcopate of Severus, the first recorded bishop of Vence, who was mentioned in written sources dating to 439 CE.

“It is a major discovery for both regional and ecclesiastical history,” reads a statement released by city authorities. “The Municipality nevertheless remains extremely vigilant regarding the discovery of a major and exceptional historical heritage. Vence, a historic city, boasts an extremely rare, centuries-old site.”

vence cathedral — Officials gather on the site of the ancient cathedral. Photo source: Ville de Vence

Until now, historical records indicated that Vence’s first cathedral was located beneath the town’s current religious building, around 50 metres to the north of the Halles Surian site. The new find challenges previous assumptions and offers fresh insights into the early development of Christian worship in the area.

Despite the magnitude of the discovery, officials have stated that it will not jeopardise the Halles Surian project, which remains on track: “At this stage, this discovery does not call into question the feasibility of the future Surian Halls project, which is scheduled for completion in late 2025.”

As excavation and analysis continue, this ancient cathedral could provide a wealth of information about the spread of Christianity in the region and the architectural innovations of the time.

Read related:

Heritage sites in Monaco that are well worth a visit

Photos source: Ville de Vence

AS Monaco Basketball’s VIP courtside zone renamed Zondacrypto Lounge

by: Stephanie Horsman

21/03/2025

AS Monaco Basketball has rebranded its exclusive courtside VIP viewing area as the Zondacrypto Lounge, marking a bold new chapter in its partnership with the cryptocurrency exchange platform, one of Europe’s leading regulated digital asset exchanges.

Earlier this year, Zondacrypto became AS Monaco Basketball’s main partner for the EuroLeague season, securing prime logo placement on the team’s jerseys. Now, the collaboration has gone a step further with the unveiling of the newly renamed VIP viewing section in the Salle Gaston Médecin, which will henceforth be known as the Zondacrypto Lounge.

See more: Zondacrypto becomes AS Monaco Basketball’s main partner for EuroLeague campaign

Oleksiy Yefimov, General Manager of AS Monaco Basketball, has emphasised the significance of the partnership, saying, “We are proud to deepen our relationship with Zondacrypto, who have already proven to be incredibly valuable supporters of the team. Their passion for pushing the boundaries in the crypto space reflects our own ambitions on the basketball court. Together, we aim to take new steps in European basketball.”

Echoing this sentiment, Przemysław Kral, CEO of Zondacrypto, stated, “AS Monaco Basketball is a powerhouse in European basketball, just as Zondacrypto stands at the forefront of innovation and regulation in the crypto space. We both share a forward-thinking mindset, pushing boundaries in our respective fields. This partnership isn’t just about branding—it’s about bridging the worlds of crypto and sports using a universal language that resonates with fans. By educating people about crypto in an exciting, accessible way, we drive real business impact while also supporting local teams and their communities.”

The European-based crypto exchange, founded in 2014, already had a strong footprint in European sports, particularly in Southern Europe. The exchange actively supports major Italian football clubs, including Bologna FC, Juventus FC, Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio, as well as renowned cycling events on the continent, such as the Giro d’Italia, Tour de Pologne, Strade Bianche and Milano-Sanremo.

Beyond basketball, Zondacrypto has also been growing its influence elsewhere in Monaco. The company serves as the title sponsor of the high-profile supercar event Top Marques Monaco, supports AS Monaco FC and recently appointed Monegasque racing driver Arthur Leclerc as a brand ambassador. In October last year, Zondacrypto launched its native ZND token at the ZND Crypto Forum Gala event in Monaco, further cementing its role in the region’s financial and sporting landscape.

Read related:

Zondacrypto giving away free Porsche to celebrate 20th edition of Top Marques

Pictured: Oleksiy Yefimov, General Manager of AS Monaco Basketball, and Przemysław Kral, CEO of Zondacrypto. Source: AS Monaco Basket

Day: 21 March 2025