The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters returns to the French Riviera from 6 to 13 April 2026, with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz leading a field of 56 players at the Monte Carlo Country Club. One of the most prestigious events on the ATP Tour calendar, this Masters 1000 tournament on outdoor clay marks the unofficial start of Europe’s clay-court season. With a total prize purse of over 6.3 million euros and 1,000 ranking points on offer, it attracts the sport’s biggest names to one of tennis’s most iconic settings.
What is the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters?
The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is an ATP Masters 1000 event, one of the nine most prestigious tournaments on the men’s professional tour below the four Grand Slams. First held in 1896, this is the 119th edition of a tournament steeped in history. Unlike most Masters 1000 events, Monte-Carlo is classified as non-mandatory, meaning top players are not obligated to enter, yet its prestige ensures a world-class field year after year.
The singles draw features 56 players, with the top eight seeds receiving byes into the second round. Matches are best of three sets with a final-set tiebreak. The doubles draw consists of 28 teams. Played on outdoor red clay, the tournament rewards patience, physicality and mastery of the sliding baseline game that defines clay-court tennis.
When is the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2026?
The 2026 tournament runs from Sunday 5 April (qualifying) through to Sunday 12 April (finals). The key dates are as follows:
- Saturday 4 April to Sunday 5 April: Qualifying rounds, from 11:00 CEST
- Sunday 5 April to Tuesday 7 April: First round of the main draw
- Wednesday 8 April to Thursday 9 April: Second and third rounds
- Friday 10 April: Quarter-finals
- Saturday 11 April: Semi-finals
- Sunday 12 April: Doubles final at 12:00 CEST, singles final at 15:00 CEST
Play typically begins at 11:00 local time (CEST, UTC+2) each day, with the main show courts running sessions into the evening.
Where is the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters?
The tournament is held at the Monte Carlo Country Club, perched on the cliffs of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in the south of France, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Though the venue is technically in France rather than the Principality of Monaco, it is marketed and universally known as a Monte-Carlo event. The club features 21 clay courts, including the main Court Rainier III, which holds approximately 10,200 spectators.
The setting is one of the most spectacular in world sport. The terraced courts cascade down the hillside towards the sea, offering players and spectators views across the coastline and the Monaco skyline. The venue has hosted the tournament since the early twentieth century, having moved from various locations in and around Monaco before settling at its current clifftop home.
Key Contenders
Carlos Alcaraz (1st seed) is the defending champion after defeating Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 in the 2025 final. The Spaniard has established himself as one of the dominant forces on clay, and a successful title defence would further cement his growing legacy at this tournament. His aggressive all-court game and remarkable movement on the red dirt make him the clear favourite.
Jannik Sinner (2nd seed) arrives as the world number two and the man most likely to challenge Alcaraz. The Italian is drawn in the opposite half and, despite his reputation as a hard-court specialist, has shown steady improvement on clay over recent seasons. A first Monte-Carlo title would be a significant addition to his trophy cabinet.
Alexander Zverev (3rd seed) remains one of the most dangerous players on clay. The German has consistently performed well at Masters 1000 level and will look to improve on his previous Monte-Carlo results. His towering serve and heavy groundstrokes are well suited to the conditions.
Lorenzo Musetti (4th seed) reached the 2025 final and proved his clay-court credentials on this very surface. The stylish Italian, with his single-handed backhand and varied game, is well equipped to make another deep run. Stefanos Tsitsipas, a three-time champion in Monte-Carlo (2021, 2022, 2024), is unseeded this year but remains a dangerous floater in the draw, given his exceptional record at this venue.
Notable absentees include Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper, all of whom withdrew before the tournament began.
How to Watch
The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is broadcast extensively around the world. Here are the main options by region:
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports Tennis, available via Sky TV packages or Now TV sports passes (from £14.99 for 24-hour access).
- United States: Tennis Channel, accessible through most major cable packages and streaming services including Sling TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream.
- Australia: beIN Sports, with subscriptions from AU$15.99 per month after a seven-day free trial.
- Global: Tennis TV, the official streaming platform of the ATP Tour, offers live coverage of every match worldwide (excluding certain territories). Monthly and annual subscriptions are available at tennistv.com.
Live scores, draws and match updates are also available on the official ATP Tour website and the tournament’s own website at montecarlotennismasters.com.
History and Records
The Monte-Carlo Masters was first held in 1896, making it one of the oldest tournaments in professional tennis. The inaugural men’s singles title was won by George Whiteside Hillyard. In its early decades, the event moved between several venues in and around Monaco before finding its permanent home at what is now the Monte Carlo Country Club.
The tournament’s history is defined above all by the extraordinary dominance of Rafael Nadal, who won a record eleven titles between 2005 and 2018. His eight consecutive victories from 2005 to 2012 remain the longest winning streak at a single tournament in the Open Era. Nadal compiled a remarkable 73-6 record in Monte-Carlo, including a 46-match winning streak from 2005 to 2013. No player in the modern game has so thoroughly owned a single event.
In recent years, Stefanos Tsitsipas emerged as the tournament’s most successful active player prior to 2025, claiming three titles in four years (2021, 2022, 2024). Andrey Rublev won in 2023, while Alcaraz claimed his first Monte-Carlo crown in 2025. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the global pandemic, one of very few interruptions in the tournament’s 130-year history.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 2026 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters are available through the official tournament website at montecarlotennismasters.com. Early-round tickets typically start from around 100 euros for qualifying and first-round sessions, with prices rising through the week. Quarter-final day tickets are priced from approximately 325 euros, semi-final Saturday from 585 euros, and final Sunday from around 500 euros. Reservation rates, available in advance through the tournament’s official channels, offer discounts compared to on-site ticket office prices.
The event regularly sells out, particularly from the quarter-finals onwards. Hospitality and premium club packages are also available for those seeking an elevated experience. For enquiries, the ticketing service can be reached at (+377) 97 98 70 00 or by email at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2026 start?
Qualifying begins on Saturday 4 April, with the main draw starting on Sunday 5 April. The singles final is on Sunday 12 April at 15:00 CEST.
Where is the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters held?
The tournament is held at the Monte Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, on the cliffs above the Mediterranean coastline near Monaco.
How can I watch the Monte-Carlo Masters?
In the UK, coverage is on Sky Sports Tennis. In the US, it is broadcast on Tennis Channel. Globally, Tennis TV streams every match live. In Australia, beIN Sports holds the rights.
Who won the Monte-Carlo Masters last year?
Carlos Alcaraz won the 2025 title, defeating Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 in the final for his first Monte-Carlo crown.
Who has won the most Monte-Carlo Masters titles?
Rafael Nadal holds the all-time record with eleven titles, won between 2005 and 2018. His eight consecutive victories from 2005 to 2012 remain unmatched at any single tournament in the Open Era.