In 1896, the Monte Carlo Masters held its first ever event in Monaco.
The event was first named the Monte-Carlo International, and was held in the small French town of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin bordering the Principality.
The tournament was first won by British player George Whiteside Hillyard, who went on to become secretary of the All England Club.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
Hillyard, born in 1864, kick-started a period of British dominance at the event.
Meet George Hillyard
As per Bruce Tarran’s account – George Hillyard: The man who moved Wimbledon – Hillyard became the first ever champion of the Monte Carlo Masters in 1896.
In fact, Hillyard was extremely successful at the first event, also winning the men’s doubles, singles handicap, and mixed doubles.
Hillyard’s success in Monte Carlo was just the start of an extremely successful period for British players at the event.
In fact, it wasn’t until 1908 that a player from outside Great Britain won the Monte Carlo Masters.
Australian player Anthony Wilding was the first to do so, defeating Britain’s Wilberforce Eaves 6–3, 2–6, 6–3, 4–6, 6–0 in the final.
Wilding started an era of international dominance at the event.
Britain would not see another Monte Carlo champion until 1920, when Gordon Lowe won the first of his three titles.
George Hillyard’s Grand Slam record
Hillyard never won a Grand Slam title during his career.
He reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals on three occasions: in 1889, 1897 and 1901.
The British player achieved his best Grand Slam results in doubles, twice reaching the Wimbledon final.
In 1889, Hillyard and Ernest Lewis were defeated by Ernest Renshaw and William Renshaw in the final.
A year later, the pair were again defeated in the Wimbledon final, this time by Joshua Pim and Frank Stoker.
Hillyard achieved his greatest feat on a tennis court 18 years later, winning an Olympic gold medal in men’s doubles while playing alongside Reginald Doherty.
