2024 Monte-Carlo Masters ATP PREVIEW: Novak DJOKOVIC, Carlos ALCARAZ and Jannik SINNER lead field as Nadal absence continues

Taking place between 7-14 April, 2024, the Monte-Carlo Masters is upon us in a real start to the clay court season for the ATP stars and with Rome, Madrid and other tournaments such as Munich and Barcelona upon us, there is no rest till Roland Garros.

Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will lead the field alongside defending champion, Andrey Rublev. Rafael Nadal was set for his return, but again had to withdraw with injury. Our preview leans into the leading storylines in the picturesque Monégasque region.

For any other player, a defeat in a semi-final of a major and a shock loss in the third round at Indian Wells wouldn't be that much cause for concern. But for Novak Djokovic, it has got questions flying all over the show.

The World No.1 who could lose his top spot by Madrid to Jannik Sinner has set the rumour mill whirring. Wrist injuries and flu seemingly blighted him in Australia, but given his only part schedule, it was a while until we saw him again.

After two opening wins, disaster struck as Luca Nardi accounted for him who had the day of his life. An Italian problem or a slump for Djokovic? The answers will still to unfurl in Monte-Carlo.

Albeit a tournament he usually struggles in title wise, he has not won it since 2015 and will complete the Djokémon Gen III (winning everything thrice) by winning the title this week. There is also the matter of Nenad Zimonjic being installed as his new coach temporarily.

A close ally of the World Number One, Zimonjic previously was involved with Djokovic back in 2022. But after the disposing of Goran Ivanisevic, it was time to head back to him for the clay court preparations. Spotted in Monte-Carlo, it seems the former World No.1 doubles star will at least be in situ this tournament.

Rumours about Djokovic even hiring Judy Murray and Amelie Mauresmo have flown around this week. A likely line of questioning this week with Ivanisevic only speaking, Djokovic will aim to let his racquet do the talking once more or more questions will be asked.

But while Djokovic will be a talking point and understandably so, there is a leading duo who have been mopping up all of the headlines this season in Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Sharing the Miami and Indian Wells Sunshine Double between them, they have been the leading lights in the sport alongside Daniil Medvedev who has lost most of the finals this season. Grigor Dimitrov also with his new haircut has also factored into that conversation.

Alcaraz will likely thrive as he does on clay. Mainly heralded as Nadal's second coming due to his prowess on the surface and being Spanish, he will look to finally add Roland Garros to his collection this summer after his debated cramp ending against Djokovic last year.

He didn't play Monte-Carlo last season owing to physical discomfort after Miami, so this will be a real early clay court test for the Spaniard. Sinner himself admitted that he isn't adept on the surface and he will have the added pressure of Novak Djokovic's World No.1 hunt. A battle that Alcaraz knows all too well from last year.

Albeit Sinner is now a completely different player and one to be feared since he last played on clay, so the intrigue will be there. Also Andrey Rublev will look to defend his title. Rublev saw off Holger Rune 5–7, 6–2, 7–5 last year with the Dane also likely to figure alongside Casper Ruud for instance who again has been starring in Estoril this past week. 

One leading light is missing though from the tournament with Rafael Nadal not able to play at the Monte-Carlo Masters this year citing continued issues with his back injury which has seen him out for most of his comeback year so far not yet healed.

Seen in serving discomfort during the Netflix Slam, Nadal has continued practicing hard on clay, but has not quite got there in terms of his physical fitness yet. Alarm bells though will ring with much of the premise surrounding the clay court season being around Nadal's final stand.

But also all eyes will be on Roland Garros in particular to see if he makes it with Madrid the next stop and given the home fans who will be expecting him there, it will be interesting how it shapes out.