Monte Carlo Masters Predictions & Tips
The ATP European clay season officially started in Estoril on April 1st but, for many, the true beginning comes with the Monte Carlo Masters, which takes place at the Monte Carlo Country Club from Sunday.
A host of big guns are on the entry list for the Monaco showdown, including world number one and two-time champion Novak Djokovic, Australian Open and Miami Open hero Jannik Sinner, and reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.
All eyes, however, will be on Rafael Nadal, who holds a wildcard entry as he embarks on what is set to be the final few weeks of his illustrious career.
An 11-time Monte Carlo champion, Nadal's participation remains in doubt with the Majorcan battling a back problem. If he is fit enough to take to the Monte Carlo courts, it will be in preparation for one last tilt at a 15th French Open crown.
Tip 1 - Carlos Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters @ SP
Djokovic is the top seed in Monaco but the Serb hasn't won this title since 2015 when he defeated Nadal in the semi-finals before taking out Tomas Berdych in the final.
The 36-year-old has failed to reach the semi-finals in seven subsequent visits to the principality and, given his indifferent, trophyless start to the season, which has prompted a split with coach Goran Ivanisevic, he's worth taking on again this week.
This title has generally gone the way of a top-class performer and the obvious candidate is Alcaraz, who lost out to Grigor Dimitrov in the Miami quarter-finals but looks back in the groove having claimed the Indian Wells title the week before.
Alcaraz, remarkably, has never won a match in Monte Carlo, losing out to Seb Korda on debut in 2022 and withdrawing with an injury prior to last season's event, but there's no obvious reason why the Spaniard won't thrive in this event given his clay prowess.
The 20-year-old made his ATP breakthrough on the surface in Croatia in 2021, then he won in Rio, Barcelona and Madrid the following year before successfully defending the two Spanish tournaments last season.
Also a French Open semi-finalist last term, Alcaraz should be eyeing a big week after Sinner leapfrogged him in the world rankings following the Miami Open.
Tip 2 - Casper Ruud to win Monte Carlo Masters @ SP
Outside of the new 'big three', Casper Ruud looks a solid alternative option if the draw falls in his direction.
The Norwegian has failed to sparkle in his two most recent visits to Monte Carlo but he did reach the semi-finals in 2021 with victories over Holger Rune, Diego Schwartzman, Pablo Carreno Busta and 2019 champion Fabio Fognini.
Ruud has produced some promising results in recent weeks, losing out in back-to-back finals in Los Cabos and Acapulco and making the last eight in Indian Wells.
The 25-year-old has reached the last two French Open finals and his decision to play Estoril could give him a jump on his rivals, many of whom have come straight from hard courts.