Illustrator Accuses Monte-Carlo Masters of Stealing Artwork for Merch: “I’m Honestly Shocked”

Ukrainian illustrator Yana Boyko was shocked after seeing her artwork on a T-shirt in a merchandise store in Monte Carlo.

Illustrator Accuses Monte-Carlo Masters of Stealing Artwork for Merch: “I’m Honestly Shocked”

Yana Boyko's artwork was used on T-shirt without her permission (Image via X/Game, Set & Talk, Yana Boyko)

In Short
  • Ukrainian artist Yana Boyko accused the Monte-Carlo Masters of using her artwork on merchandise without permission.
  • Tournament director David Massey acknowledged the issue and stated they are working to find a solution.
  • Boyko has not received a concrete resolution, and the T-shirts featuring her design are still being sold.

The Monte-Carlo Masters concluded on Sunday (April 12). Jannik Sinner captured his first title in the tournament with a straight-set victory over Carlos Alcaraz, registering his second consecutive win against his arch-rival after last year’s championship clash of the ATP Finals.

A few days ago, the tournament found itself at the receiving end of criticism from Ukrainian artist Yana Boyko. She accused the third Masters 1000 event of stealing her artwork for merchandise.

Boyko took to X and wrote how shocked she was upon seeing her illustration on a T-shirt at a merchandise store at the venue. She posted a couple of pictures of her artwork and a T-shirt. The picture of her art has five broken tennis rackets of different colors.

Both pictures were identical and also had the quote below the rackets, which read: “When It’s More Than Just A Game.” The only thing missing on the T-shirt was her name.

Please help spread the word: I’m honestly shocked to see my illustration being used on T-shirts sold at the Monte-Carlo Masters without my permission or a licence. I never expected something like this from such a major tournament. If someone from the organisers sees this, please contact me so we can resolve this properly.

Yana Boyko wrote on X

Check out her post here:

Tournament director David Massey has addressed the accusations. As per Ubitennis journalist Carlo Galati, Massey promised to find a solution soon to this matter.

For the production of the T-shirts, we rely on an external supplier. We are in contact with the artist and are working to find a solution, which will certainly be reached.

David Massey said

And as per New York Times journalist Jessica Schiffer, Boyko has received an email from Massey but hasn’t offered her any solutions apart from introducing her to the supplier.

Jannik Sinner on reclaiming the No.1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz after his Monte-Carlo Masters win

Carlos Alcaraz couldn’t successfully defend his title, and this saw him losing his No.1 ranking to Jannik Sinner. The South Tyrol native’s victory over the Spaniard on clay in a big tournament like Monte Carlo only showed how much he worked on his game to conquer his least favorite surface.

Jannik Sinner (2)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/4K JANNIK SINNER)

But it was not his first title on clay. The first one he lifted in 2022 at the Croatia Open, and at that time, as well, Alcaraz was his opponent. Even though Sinner is the No.1 player, he knows that he could lose the position again if Alcaraz performs better than him in the next clay-court tournaments.

Yes, it makes me happy. But I don’t change what I said before, my statements. Because right now Carlos and I are very close, it can change from one week to the next. So I think at this moment, it’s quite secondary.

Sinner just has a lead of 110 ranking points over Alcaraz, who will next be playing the Barcelona Open, where last year, he lost to Holger Rune in the final.

It would be a lie to say I’m not happy to see the number one next to my name again. It means we are doing things right again. But honestly, I think the most important thing is to prepare well for the upcoming tournaments, have the right mindset, and try to do things right. Then little by little, we will advance. There are two major Slams to play, Paris and London, which are much more important right now.

Jannik Sinner added

The victory has made Sinner only the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to win the Monte-Carlo Masters as well as complete the Sunshine Double in the same year. It was also his fourth consecutive title in the Masters 1000 events.

Also read: Stan Wawrinka Shares Whether He’ll Have Dream Match with Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros or Pete Sampras at Wimbledon