The first American to win Monte Carlo did it over a century ago
Just five American men have claimed the Monte Carlo Masters title in the tournament’s 120-year history. The most recent of those came all the way back in 1956, when Hugh Stewart beat fellow American Tony Vincent in four sets: 1–6, 8–6, 6–0, 6–2.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Just five American men have claimed the Monte Carlo Masters title in the tournament’s 120-year history. The most recent of those came all the way back in 1956, when Hugh Stewart beat fellow American Tony Vincent in four sets: 1–6, 8–6, 6–0, 6–2. Bill Tilden was one of the game’s icons during the 1930s.
The American took home a remarkable ten Grand Slam titles and also added a Monte Carlo win to his CV with a victory over Bunny Austin in the final. Frank Parker won his title in 1949, and two years later, former world number four Straight Clark became just the fourth American player to add his name to this exclusive list. Fred Alexander: The first American man to win the Monte Carlo Masters Fred Alexander was the first American man to win the Monte Carlo Masters, defeating Great Britain’s Laurence Doherty 7–5, 6–4, 6–1 in the 1909 final.
Alexander, who was also the first non-Australian player to win the Australian Open, went on to capture eight Grand Slam titles – seven of which were in doubles. Alexander [pictured below, centre], reached a career-high singles ranking of world number seven and was also a Davis Cup finalist in 1908. He would go on to retire around eleven years after his triumph in Monaco.
The nation has struggled at Monte Carlo since Hugh Stewart’s victory in 1956. Only six Americans have reached the final since then: Budge Patty, Vitas Gerulaitis, Jimmy Connors, Mel Purcell, Jimmy Arias and Aaron Krickstein. Krickstein was beaten by French Open champion Thomas Muster back in 1992.