When is the Monte Carlo Masters? Are Djokovic and Nadal playing?

It’s time for the clay swing.

The next couple of months will feature some of the biggest tournaments of the season as players build up to the French Open.

The first port of call for most of the top stars on the ATP Tour is the Monte Carlo Masters, which is one of three ATP Masters 1000 clay tournaments.

When and where is the Monte Carlo Masters?

The Monte Carlo Masters is played on clay courts at the Monte Carlo Country Club and is an ATP Tour event.

Qualifying starts on Saturday, April 6 and the main draw begins on Monday, April 8.

The singles final is held on Sunday, April 14.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day except for finals day, when the singles final begins at 2pm UK time.

Monte Carlo Masters 2024 schedule

  • Saturday, April 6: Qualifying
  • Sunday, April 7: Qualifying
  • Monday, April 8: First round
  • Tuesday, April 9: First and second round
  • Wednesday, April 10: Second and third round
  • Thursday, April 11: Third round
  • Friday, April 12: Quarter-finals
  • Saturday, April 13: Semi-finals
  • Sunday, April 14: Doubles final and singles final

Will Novak Djokovic play Monte Carlo?

The world No. 1 has had a rocky start to the year, losing in the Australian Open semi-finals and then suffering a shock defeat to Luca Nardi in the third round at Indian Wells.

Djokovic, who has been pictured practising with Holger Rune in Monte Carlo, has not yet hired a replacement for Ivanisevic.

Djokovic is into his 419th week as world No. 1 and this week will break Roger Federer’s record as the oldest No. 1 in history.

Jannik Sinner appears to be on the march to becoming world No. 1 after his stunning start to the year but can’t catch Djokovic in Monte Carlo as he has 360 points to defend from making the semi-finals last year, while Djokovic only has 90.

Carlos Alcaraz, who has slipped down to world No. 3, also only has 90 points to defend but is 1,080 points behind Djokovic.

There are 1,000 points on offer for the winner in Monte Carlo.

Will Rafael Nadal play Monte Carlo?

Rafeal Nadal’s potential clay swansong is set to start in Monte Carlo.

The 11-time champion has not played since making his return after a year out in Brisbane at the start of the season.

Clay remains Nadal’s favourite surface and is expected to be kinder for his body than hard courts.

It is still not known how much longer Nadal will play for. He will celebrate his 38th birthday in early June and has previously said this could be his last season on tour, which might mean a farewell at the French Open or the Olympics – but he has also not ruled out playing on.

Are Sinner, Alcaraz and Murray playing Monte Carlo?

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are both set to start their clay seasons in Monte Carlo.

Sinner and Alcaraz were the standout players across the Sunshine Double, winning Miami and Indian Wells respectively, and look the closest rivals to Djokovic.

Murray’s team have said it is “still not clear how long Andy will be out of action”, but there is a chance he could miss the entire clay season due to the injury.

Who is the defending Monte Carlo champion?

Andrey Rublev beat Holger Rune in last year’s final to claim the first Masters 1000 title of his career.

Rublev does not come into the tournament in the best of form, having lost two of three matches across Indian Wells and Miami.

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Tsitsipas enjoying 'being creative on the court' after beating Rublev in Madrid

Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the semi-finals of the Madrid Open after a three-set victory over Andrey Rublev.

After going through 6-3 2-6 6-4, the Greek player said: “I’m feeling great to be honest. I really hope it can continue that way. It feels great playing so aggressive and being creative on the court.”

Tsitsipas made a blinding start, taking the first game to love on serve before breaking his opponent at the fifth attempt in the second to take control of the set.

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After the fourth seed raced into a 4-1 lead, Rublev – who arrived in Madrid fresh from beating Novak Djokovic in the final of the Serbia Open – showed his grit and determination to battle back, playing aggressive tennis to stay in touch with Tsitsipas.

However, the Greek player continued his exceptional serving game to take the first set 6-3.

Rublev destroyed British hopes in Madrid after beating Jack Draper and Dan Evans to set up his clash with Tsitsipas, and he regained that previously seen determination in the second set. Maintaining his powerful approach, the sixth seed was the first to break serve to take a 4-2 lead. After a sluggish start, he was pumped up – almost too much after getting involved in a heated argument with the umpire over a challenged decision.

Loose play from Tsitsipas saw him throw away a number of points to give Rublev increased confidence – epitomised by a passing cross-court winner which drew gasps from the crowd, as he levelled the tie at a set apiece.

The third set saw the players go toe-to-toe until Tsitsipas picked his moment to break to love, take a 5-4 lead and give himself the chance to serve his way to the semi-final. Nerves set in, and the 23-year-old slipped to allow two break points to his opponent. However, he saved them both before fighting through to take the win.

Reflecting on the match, Tsitsipas said: “He was really playing a lot of force into the strokes. It wasn’t easy predicting what was going to come next.

“Never easy playing him. Had to really survive that last game, and put my best strength and give out my soul to finish it in such a good way.”

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Tsitsipas enjoying 'being creative on the court' after beating Rublev in Madrid

Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the semi-finals of the Madrid Open after a three-set victory over Andrey Rublev.

After going through 6-3 2-6 6-4, the Greek player said: “I’m feeling great to be honest. I really hope it can continue that way. It feels great playing so aggressive and being creative on the court.”

Tsitsipas made a blinding start, taking the first game to love on serve before breaking his opponent at the fifth attempt in the second to take control of the set.

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After the fourth seed raced into a 4-1 lead, Rublev – who arrived in Madrid fresh from beating Novak Djokovic in the final of the Serbia Open – showed his grit and determination to battle back, playing aggressive tennis to stay in touch with Tsitsipas.

However, the Greek player continued his exceptional serving game to take the first set 6-3.

Rublev destroyed British hopes in Madrid after beating Jack Draper and Dan Evans to set up his clash with Tsitsipas, and he regained that previously seen determination in the second set. Maintaining his powerful approach, the sixth seed was the first to break serve to take a 4-2 lead. After a sluggish start, he was pumped up – almost too much after getting involved in a heated argument with the umpire over a challenged decision.

Loose play from Tsitsipas saw him throw away a number of points to give Rublev increased confidence – epitomised by a passing cross-court winner which drew gasps from the crowd, as he levelled the tie at a set apiece.

The third set saw the players go toe-to-toe until Tsitsipas picked his moment to break to love, take a 5-4 lead and give himself the chance to serve his way to the semi-final. Nerves set in, and the 23-year-old slipped to allow two break points to his opponent. However, he saved them both before fighting through to take the win.

Reflecting on the match, Tsitsipas said: “He was really playing a lot of force into the strokes. It wasn’t easy predicting what was going to come next.

“Never easy playing him. Had to really survive that last game, and put my best strength and give out my soul to finish it in such a good way.”

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Tsitsipas enjoying 'being creative on the court' after beating Rublev in Madrid

Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the semi-finals of the Madrid Open after a three-set victory over Andrey Rublev.

After going through 6-3 2-6 6-4, the Greek player said: “I’m feeling great to be honest. I really hope it can continue that way. It feels great playing so aggressive and being creative on the court.”

Tsitsipas made a blinding start, taking the first game to love on serve before breaking his opponent at the fifth attempt in the second to take control of the set.

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After the fourth seed raced into a 4-1 lead, Rublev – who arrived in Madrid fresh from beating Novak Djokovic in the final of the Serbia Open – showed his grit and determination to battle back, playing aggressive tennis to stay in touch with Tsitsipas.

However, the Greek player continued his exceptional serving game to take the first set 6-3.

Rublev destroyed British hopes in Madrid after beating Jack Draper and Dan Evans to set up his clash with Tsitsipas, and he regained that previously seen determination in the second set. Maintaining his powerful approach, the sixth seed was the first to break serve to take a 4-2 lead. After a sluggish start, he was pumped up – almost too much after getting involved in a heated argument with the umpire over a challenged decision.

Loose play from Tsitsipas saw him throw away a number of points to give Rublev increased confidence – epitomised by a passing cross-court winner which drew gasps from the crowd, as he levelled the tie at a set apiece.

The third set saw the players go toe-to-toe until Tsitsipas picked his moment to break to love, take a 5-4 lead and give himself the chance to serve his way to the semi-final. Nerves set in, and the 23-year-old slipped to allow two break points to his opponent. However, he saved them both before fighting through to take the win.

Reflecting on the match, Tsitsipas said: “He was really playing a lot of force into the strokes. It wasn’t easy predicting what was going to come next.

“Never easy playing him. Had to really survive that last game, and put my best strength and give out my soul to finish it in such a good way.”

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Djokovic on ‘amazing’ Alcaraz, Real Madrid stars attend Spanish clash – Madrid Open diary

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