Romain Arneodo is set to get inked for the first time in his life after winning his home tournament in Monaco. Alongside French star Manuel Guinard, the 32-year-old got a wildcard into the doubles draw at the Monte-Carlo Masters, and they ended the week as the champions.
Arneodo suffered heartbreak in the doubles final two years ago, blowing a match point to miss out on the trophy in 2023, and he’s planning to do something big to celebrate his long-awaited victory. The Monegasque player had a bet that he would get a tattoo if he won the title, and he’s planning to follow through.
Arneodo and Guinard saved a championship point to beat No. 7 seeds Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash in a rollercoaster doubles final on Sunday, winning 1-6 7-6(8) [10-8] in a match tiebreak.
It was a historic victory for Arneodo, who became the first-ever Monegasque champion at the tournament, and he is now set to get his first tattoo in celebration.
Addressing the Court Rainier III crowd in French during his victory speech, the world No. 83 said: “I had a bet that I’ll get a tattoo of the MCCC for the Monte-Carlo Country Club if I win.
“It’s a good problem to have. Not sure which arm to put it on!”
Explaining how the tattoo agreement came about, the 32-year-old later elaborated: “It was the first day of the tournament. I was watching Ugo [Humbert] play, with Melanie[-Antoinette de Massy] and the club staff, and we saw one guy who had a tattoo on his calf with the MCCC logo.
“So I said to Melanie, If I win the tournament, I’m going to have a tattoo of the Monte-Carlo Country Club. It’s very exceptional for me to be able to win this tournament, and I don’t have any tattoos at all, and I said if I have a tattoo once, it’s going to be this one.
“So I’m going to do it now, and I might send you some photos. It all started with this joke with Geoffrey, and he didn’t even win the tournament, but he has this tattoo. So I don’t know if I have to thank him, but he opened the door to this joke. But the tattoo is beautiful.”
Arneodo is a local at the club and, after blowing a match point in the 2023 doubles final, he will be delighted to finally see his name up on the wall of champions.
“You must know that I come to the club every day, I practice here, I have my coffee, and I can see the wall where the names of the winners are, and every day I see Krawietz and Putz who beat us last time on marble,” he added.
“And now I will see my name on this marble. And really it might seem stupid, but really it’s important for me because I’m in love with this club.
“When I’ll come and have my coffee every morning, I will see my name on marble. Now I’m part of this club. I’m very proud of it.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk