In 1974, Andrew Pattison became the lowest-ranked Monte Carlo Masters champion in the Open Era.
The Zimbabwean tennis player, ranked 49th on the men’s circuit, remains the lowest-ranked player to win the event to this day.
The world number 49 was unseeded at the event, yet he only dropped three sets on his way to the title in Monaco.
Who will win the 2026 Monte Carlo Masters?
Vote now!
So, how did the underdog pull off the upset?
Andrew Pattison’s run to the 1974 Monte Carlo title
Pattison began the 1974 Monte Carlo Masters by defeating Bob Carmichael; who had previously made quarter-final appearances at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
He then defeated Germany’s Hans-Jurgen Pohmann 6-2, 6-2, before coming through a tough three-set contest against Hungary’s Balazs Taroczy.
Pattison continued to shine in the semi-finals, defeating South African player Bob Maud 6-0, 3-6, 6-2.
By beating Maud, Pattison set up a final against second seed Ilie Nastase – a two-time Grand Slam champion.
Pattison defied the odds, beating the Romanian star 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Pattison went on to achieve a career-high ranking of world number 24 late that year.
Upon retiring from his playing career in 1983, Pattison had accrued five singles and seven doubles titles.
Andrew Pattison’s best performance at a Grand Slam tournament
Pattison’s greatest feat at a Grand Slam came in 1975, when he reached the US Open quarter-finals.
Pattison, again unseeded, defeated Patrick Proisy, John Alexander, Ricardo Cano and Bob Hewitt on his way to the last eight.
Should the ATP Tour introduce a new grass-court Masters event? 💭
If so, where should the tournament be held?
Top seed Jimmy Connors ended Pattison’s run, defeating the Zimbabwean 6-1, 6-2, 6-1.
Connors went on to reach the final, where he lost to Spain’s Manuel Orantes 4-6, 3-6, 3-6.
It would end up being the only major title of Orantes’ career.
