Bienvenu sur la Terre Battue! Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2026

Clay court tennis returns to European shores

RIVIERA BUZZ22 February, 20264 Mins read255

The 119th edition of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters ATP 1000 tournament takes place from 4th to 12th April, 2026, on the iconic clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club.

Held under the presidency of Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy and organised by the Société Monégasque pour l’Exploitation du Tournoi de Tennis, it remains the first major European stop of the ATP Masters 1000 season and a defining fixture on the international tennis calendar.

Much like the Monaco Grand Prix or the Monaco Yacht Show, the Principality will come alive for more than a week as the tournament officially launches Monaco’s busy spring events season. Following the 2025 edition, highlighted by Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz’s maiden title in Monte-Carlo and record crowds exceeding 150,000 spectators, Tournament Director David Massey confirmed that the 119th edition will begin with the official draw on Friday, 3rd April at 5:00pm in Monaco, conducted by the defending champion and broadcast live on Monaco Info.

Présentation RMCM - 119ème édition 2026 © Manuel Vitali -Direction de la Communication (3)

^{Photo © Manuel Vitali -Direction de la Communication}

While the final list of 45 players granted direct entry to the main draw will only be confirmed on 10th March, the ATP entry deadline, early indications point to another exceptionally strong field. In 2025, wild cards Manuel Guinard and Romain Arneodo captured attention with a historic doubles triumph, while Hugo Nys previously secured the Rome Masters 1000 doubles crown in 2023 alongside Poland’s Jan Zielinski. In singles, local hopes will once again rest on Valentin Vacherot, who announced himself with a first Masters 1000 main draw victory over Jan-Lennard Struff in Monte-Carlo before going on to lift the Rolex Shanghai Masters later that season. Now ranked world No.25, he enters the 2026 draw directly and will look to capitalise on home support.

As is customary for the opening clay-court Masters 1000 of the season, many of the ATP Tour’s leading names are expected to return, with fans particularly eager to see the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Novak Djokovic and Italy’s top player Jannik Sinner back on court in Monte-Carlo.

Présentation RMCM - 119ème édition 2026 © Manuel Vitali -Direction de la Communication (2)

^{Photo © Manuel Vitali -Direction de la Communication}

Continuing its emphasis on player welfare, the tournament has once again secured exclusive use of the Monte-Carlo Beach Club as the Players’ Village. Fully reserved for players, teams and families for the second consecutive year, the space will now incorporate an expanded 320-square-metre gym, as well as a newly designed quiet zone for rest and recovery. The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort remains the tournament’s official hotel. Massey noted that all the elements are in place to deliver another standout edition, both for spectators in the stands and audiences watching worldwide.

With attendance continuing to rise, organisers are also enhancing the on-site spectator experience. Four new screens will be installed in the shopping village to broadcast matches live, while the entertainment zone has been completely redesigned to feature a giant screen, deckchairs, picnic areas, refreshment points and additional leisure spaces.

Présentation RMCM - 119ème édition 2026 © Manuel Vitali -Direction de la Communication

^{Photo © Manuel Vitali – Direction de la Communication}

Infrastructure upgrades will also see the top floor of the MCCC Clubhouse, formerly the press centre, closed in 2026, with media operations relocating to the Pavillon de la Bergerie. Broadcasting will occupy Levels 2 and 3, both floors dedicated to media facilities, with press conferences remaining on Level 1. On court, the Electronic Line Calling Live system will return for a second year, offering an average error rate of just 0.02 per match throughout the clay-court season.

Television coverage will once again be extensive in France, with full-week broadcasting on Eurosport, daily matches shown on France.tv and the final aired on France 4. All three courts will be televised. The tournament will also introduce HawkVision technology, deploying 60 digitally synchronised cameras to provide new behind-the-player viewing angles.

^{Video via Tennis TV YouTube channel}

Alongside title partner Rolex, long-standing partners Emirates, Maserati, Generali, Adecco, Dunlop, Yokohama, Minuty and Tecnifibre have renewed their commitments for the 2026 edition, joined by new partner Rummo and the returning Champagne Lanson.

Off court, the tournament will continue its charitable “Points for Change” initiative with BNP Paribas in support of GEMLUC. Funds raised this year will contribute towards financing external breast prostheses for breast cancer patients undergoing treatment at Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace while awaiting reconstructive surgery.

^{Photo © RIVIERA BUZZ}

Player Update – 10th March, 2026

The official list of players entered in the main draw of this 119th edition was unveiled by David Massey, Tournament Director, at a press luncheon held at the Hôtel Le Poulpry in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, in collaboration with Lenôtre, and in the presence of Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, President of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the Monte-Carlo Country Club, and the Monegasque Tennis Federation.

Spectators will see the return of some of the biggest names in international tennis. David Massey announced that 9 of the top 10 players in the ATP rankings, and 18 members of the Top 20, are expected in Monaco, making this first major European clay-court tournament a highly anticipated event. Among those present will be: defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (No. 1), Jannik Sinner (No. 2), Novak Djokovic (No. 3), 2026 Australian Open finalist Alexander Zverev (No. 4), Lorenzo Musetti (No. 5), Australian Alex de Minaur (No. 6), American Taylor Fritz (No. 7), Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (No. 9), Alexander Bublik (No. 10), as well as Daniil Medvedev, Jakub Menšík, Casper Ruud, Jack Draper, and Flavio Cobolli.

The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters takes place from 4 – 12 April, 2026 at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased online.

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