The Monte Carlo Masters 1000 of 2026 will take place from April 4 to 12 at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Being the first major clay court event of the ATP season, this prestigious tournament marks the beginning of the European tour up to Roland Garros. What’s at stake for the tournament winner? 1,000 ATP points and nearly one million euros in prize money. Here is everything you need to know before the tournament begins.
The Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 was created in 1897 at the Monte-Carlo Country Club, which is actually located in France, near the Monaco border. Its facilities between land and sea offer an idyllic and incomparable setting. Positioned strategically in the ATP calendar, it is preceded by the famous Sunshine Double (the Masters 1000 of Indian Wells and Miami) and launches the European clay court season. Another essential piece of information is that it is currently the only one among the nine Masters 1000 events not mandatory for players. This means that players have the option to participate or not, and those who attend have a genuine goal and real motivation.
A dense and exciting draw
For quite some time now, the majority of Masters 1000 category tournaments take place over 12 days, with an expanded draw and more seeded players. However, two of them continue to resist: the Rolex Paris Masters and Monte Carlo. The latter will therefore be contested over one week with a draw of 56 players. Among them, 17 of the world’s top 20 players will be in attendance. Only the two Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton, and the legend Novak Djokovic will not be present.
The wild cards for the 2026 edition
Each tournament decides which players will be invited to play in the qualifications (in some cases) or directly in the main draw. This choice is usually justified by the player’s career or a special history between a player and the tournament. Each year, the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 allocates four wild cards (invitations).
- Stan Wawrinka: the oldest player on the tour (in singles), Stan Wawrinka, a true legend from the 2010s, has just celebrated his 41st birthday. In the top 100 worldwide, the Swiss possesses a tremendously high level of affection worldwide and an exceptional career to continue earning wild cards and participating in the most prestigious tournaments. The Swiss will face the surface specialist Sebastian Baez in the first round.
- Matteo Berrettini: currently ranked 91st in the ATP rankings, the Italian won his last three titles in 2024, on clay. Born in Italy, his proximity to the principality of Monaco, as well as his significant career results (notably between 2019 and 2022), make him a natural wild card at the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000. Matteo Berrettini has never advanced beyond the round of 16 in this tournament but achieved his best result in a clay-court Masters 1000 in 2021, reaching the final in Madrid.
- Gaël Monfils: after announcing that 2026 would be his last season on the professional circuit, the farewell tour continues for the Frenchman. A spectacular player who has made a strong impression internationally, Monfils should be invited to most tournaments for which his ranking does not allow participation. Monte Carlo is no exception, where Gaël reached the final in the 2016 edition. For his final week on the Rock, the Frenchman will challenge the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.
- Moïse Kouamé: invited to the Miami tournament last month, the (very) young Frenchman achieved his first victory in a Masters 1000. In Monte Carlo, Moïse Kouamé will try to confirm his promising level of play and integrate into the world’s top 300 (currently ranked 328th). He will face a significant challenge in the first round against Ugo Humbert.
Players to watch at the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000
- Stefanos Tsitsipas, the specialist in search of confidence
The Greek has been going through a difficult tennis period for over a year. Far from his best form, he arrives in Monte Carlo as a three-time winner (2021, 2022, and 2024). The clay court season, and specifically the tournament in the principality, will be crucial for Tsitsipas to regain confidence and get back on track. Facing the world’s No. 20, Francisco Cerundolo, the match promises some exciting rallies.
- Valentin Vacherot, the Monegasque hope
Before his monumental feat at the Shanghai Masters 1000 last year, Valentin Vacherot had never participated in the main draw of a Masters 1000, except in Monte Carlo, the player’s home country, where he had been invited several times. With his new status as a top 25 player worldwide, the Monegasque will be eagerly awaited in the principality. The local player will face Kamil Majchrzak in his first match.
- Carlos Alcaraz, the great favorite and defending champion
Wherever he goes, Carlos Alcaraz dazzles. The Spaniard will naturally be present in Monte Carlo, a tournament he won last year. Following two somewhat unexpected defeats at Indian Wells and Miami, Alcaraz wants to make a comeback to show who the boss is, on a surface he has excelled on since the beginning of his career.Â
- João Fonseca, expected confirmation
The Brazilian has been highly anticipated since the end of 2024, especially on clay following his promising title last season in Buenos Aires. His recent performances are extremely interesting, with two tight matches against Sinner and Alcaraz, respectively at Indian Wells and Miami. He will face Canadian Gabriel Diallo in the first round.
Corentin Moutet, Moïse Kouamé… what hopes for our French players?
Seven French players are participating in the Monte Carlo Masters 1000: Corentin Moutet, Arthur Rinderknech, Ugo Humbert, Adrian Mannarino, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, along with Gaël Monfils and Moïse Kouamé who have been granted a wild card. It is also worth noting the presence of some French players in the qualifying draw such as Benjamin Bonzi who will face veteran Roberto Bautista-Agut, Alexandre Muller who will take on Briton Jan Choinski, or Quentin Halys against American Emilio Nava.Â
While on paper most of these players are not specialists on the surface, players like Moutet or Monfils are so unpredictable that an outstanding performance is always possible!
Broadcast and schedule: where to watch the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000?
The tournament is broadcast in its entirety on Eurosport. You will also have the opportunity to watch one match per day for free on the platform france.tv, as well as the final broadcast on France 4.
Dates: from April 4 to 12, 2026
Location: Monte Carlo Country Club
Surface: clay
TV Broadcast: Eurosport, france.tv, france 4
Prize money: ~1 million € (for the winner)
Defending champion: Carlos Alcaraz.
