Monte Carlo draw boost as Matteo Berrettini and Stan Wawrinka confirmed via wildcards

The 2026 Monte-Carlo Masters is beginning to take shape, with Matteo Berrettini and Stan Wawrinka confirmed as the first wildcard entries for the opening ATP Masters 1000 event of the European clay season. The tournament, scheduled from 5 to 12 April, marks a key transition point in the calendar as players move from hard courts to clay.

Monte Carlo stands out within the Masters 1000 category due to its unique format. The event features a 56-player singles draw—the smallest among Masters tournaments—and is completed within a single week, unlike many others that now extend across nearly two weeks. Berrettini (World No. 68) and Wawrinka (World No. 94) enter via wildcard, adding experience and depth to the early clay swing.

The addition of both players strengthens an already elite field expected to include Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic. Their presence provides contrasting narratives, with one still competing deep into the hard-court swing and the other already transitioning toward clay.

Berrettini remains active in Miami, where he reached the second round, while Wawrinka has begun his clay preparations and is set to compete at the Challenger 125 event in Naples ahead of Monte Carlo.

Wawrinka’s history in Monte Carlo is defined by his 2014 title, when he defeated Milos Raonic, David Ferrer and Roger Federer to secure the most significant clay-court trophy of his career. That run remains a reference point for his success on the surface and underlines his experience in the Principality.

Now ranked No. 94, the Swiss veteran is managing a selective schedule, prioritising match rhythm and adaptation to clay conditions. His decision to begin the swing at Challenger level reflects a structured approach designed to maximise competitiveness in targeted events.

Berrettini, currently ranked No. 68, arrives with match rhythm from the hard-court swing but with more limited results in Monte Carlo. His best performances at the event remain third-round appearances in 2023 and 2025, highlighting a gap between his peak level and consistency on clay at Masters level.

The Italian’s game, built around serve and forehand dominance, has traditionally been more effective on faster surfaces. However, improvements in movement and rally tolerance suggest potential for further development on clay, particularly within the shorter, more intense format of Monte Carlo.

The 2026 Monte Carlo Masters is expected to feature the leading names on the ATP Tour. Carlos Alcaraz will arrive as defending champion after claiming the 2025 title, part of a dominant clay campaign that also included victories in Rome and Roland Garros.

Jannik Sinner is set to return after missing last year’s tournament, adding further depth at the top of the draw. Lorenzo Musetti, runner-up in 2025 after losing to Alcaraz, will also be among the key contenders following his strong performances in the Principality.

Novak Djokovic is likewise expected to compete, bringing a strong record with titles in 2013 and 2015. However, his recent performances at the event have been less consistent, with early exits in four of his last five appearances.

With Berrettini and Wawrinka confirmed as wildcard entrants, and a condensed 56-player draw increasing the intensity from the outset, the Monte Carlo Masters offers an early and significant benchmark for the European clay-court season.