The Monte-Carlo Masters marks the unofficial start to tennis' European clay-court swing, with the sport's biggest names descending on the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France from 4–12 April.Defending champion and world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz headlines a field that includes 2026 Sunshine Double winner Jannik Sinner and three-time Monte-Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas – but notable absences from Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper and Sebastian Korda have reshaped the landscape heading into the year's first Masters 1000 event.Here’s what you need to know about the draw, schedule and how to watch live.Players to watch at the Monte-Carlo Masters 2026Defending champion and world No. 1 Alcaraz won the title here last April – his sixth Masters 1000 crown – but he arrives after a third-round upset loss to Sebastian Korda in Miami and with 1,000 ranking points to defend.World No. 2 Sinner is the man applying the pressure.Fresh off a Sunshine Double sweep of Indian Wells and Miami without dropping a set, the Italian trails Alcaraz by just 1,190 points and has nothing to defend here after missing the 2025 clay season during his suspension.Beyond the top two, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev is set to play, alongside 2025 finalist Lorenzo Musetti, who returns as the fifth seed.Three-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas (2021, 2022, 2024) is unseeded but could be dangerous on what must certainly be one of his favourite courts.Notable absencesTwo-time champion Djokovic, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion and a 24-time Grand Slam winner, has withdrawn with a right shoulder injury that also kept him out of the Miami Open.World No. 7 Fritz, No. 15 Draper and Korda have also pulled out.2026 Monte-Carlo Masters scheduleAll times are local to the event.Saturday 4 April – Qualifying, from 11:00 a.m. (14 matches)Sunday 5 April – Qualifying and first round, from 11:00 a.m. (13 matches)Monday 6 April – First round, from 11:00 a.m. (17 matches)Tuesday 7 April – First and second rounds, from 11:00 a.m. (16 matches)Wednesday 8 April – Second and third rounds, from 11:00 a.m. (17 matches)Thursday 9 April – Third round, from 11:00 a.m. (12 matches)Friday 10 April – Quarter-finals, from 11:00 a.m. (8 matches)Saturday 11 April – Semi-finals; first singles not before 1:30 p.m., second singles not before 3:30 p.m. (4 matches)Sunday 12 April – Finals; doubles final at 12:00 p.m., singles final at 3:00 p.m.When is the Monte-Carlo Masters 2026 draw?The draw has not yet been released. It is expected to take place on Friday (3 April), two days before main-draw play begins on Sunday (5 April). Qualifying rounds start on Saturday (4 April).How to watch the Monte-Carlo Masters 2026 liveThe 2026 Monte-Carlo Masters will be broadcast worldwide.Fans can also follow live scores, draws and match updates on the official ATP website and tournament channels.The 2026 edition of the tour-level event will be broadcast worldwide and you can view how to watch the tournament in your region here.
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