Located at glamorous Monte-Carlo Country Club, the season's first clay Masters 1000 event kicks off on Monday, in the 114th edition of the tournament that started in 1897!
Monte Carlo became a part of the Open era in 1969, and it stayed on the calendar ever since as one of the most favorite tournaments among the players. Tom Okker was the first champion in the new era, followed by the names like Ilie Nastase, Manuel Orantes, Guillermo Vilas, Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander, Ivan Lendl, Thomas Muster, Carlos Moya, Gustavo Kuerten, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka. One name stands out above them all, though, with Rafael Nadal winning 11 Monte Carlo titles between 2005-2018!
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are the players to beat next week, standing in different parts of the draw and hoping to reach the title encounter next Sunday. Djokovic will most likely face Jannik Sinner in the second round before possible clashes with Hubert Hurkacz, David Goffin and Alexander Zverev in the top quarter.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini lead the second quarter, with Aslan Karatsev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Cristian Garin and Alex de Minaur hoping to spoil their party and reach the semis.
Andrey Rublev and Rafael Nadal are the top-ranked players in the third quarter, with all eyes set on the Spaniard, who is returning to action after staying away from the court since the Australian Open. Diego Schwartzman and Daniil Medvedev lead the bottom quarter, looking good to play for the semis if they bring their best tennis.