A serious allegation has emerged from the clay courts of Monaco, casting a shadow over the prestigious Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Ukrainian artist Yana Boyko has taken to social media, accusing the ATP and/or the tournament itself of appropriating her original artwork for official merchandise without her permission.

Boyko, whose portfolio frequently features tennis themes, stated she was "stunned" to discover a t-shirt at an on-site merchandise store bearing a design identical to her own. She shared side-by-side comparisons showing her artwork—a striking piece depicting five cracked and broken tennis racquets—alongside the tournament shirt. The merchandise not only replicates the visual but also uses the same phrase, "When It’s More Than Just A Game," verbatim from the bottom of her original piece.

Notably, a key element is missing: Boyko's name, which is printed on her original work, has been replaced on the shirt with the Monte Carlo Country Club's "MCCC" initials. The artist had posted the original artwork to her Instagram in May 2025, well before the current tournament. The implicated t-shirt does not appear to be for sale on the tournament's official online store, suggesting it may be exclusive to the physical venue.

Boyko is now demanding tournament organizers contact her immediately to resolve the situation. Potential outcomes could range from the removal of the merchandise to financial compensation for the alleged unauthorized use. The incident raises questions about the approval process for tournament merchandise—whether it's centrally managed by the ATP or delegated to individual events.

As one of the ATP's coveted Masters 1000 events, the Monte-Carlo tournament is a cornerstone of the clay-court season. While the final matches conclude this weekend, this controversy over artistic integrity may linger long after the last ball is struck, serving as a reminder of the importance of crediting creators in the sports world.