The first clay-court ATP Masters 1000 event of the season will be played this week at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia makes his return to action and will try to secure his third title in the Principality, where Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece has lifted the trophy in back-to-back editions.
The World No. 1 returns to action for his first tournament since Dubai. There is plenty at stake for Djokovic in Monaco, where he is a two-time champion. The 35-year-old not only has an opportunity to claim a record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 title, but he can also return to top spot in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin by capturing the trophy.
Djokovic will be especially hungry to make his mark in Monte-Carlo. The top seed has not advanced past the quarterfinals at the season’s first clay-court Masters 1000 event since 2015, when he won the title.
“I have done more training on clay, which is positive if you think about the clay season,” Djokovic said. “I have not had much success in Monte-Carlo in the past two seasons. I haven’t played great tennis here, so I am hoping this year I can start the clay season better than in previous years and build my form.”
Daniil Medvedev of Russia begins his clay season in top form having just claimed a Masters 1000 crown in Miami after also triumphing in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai. Other players to watch in Monte-Carlo include Miami finalist Jannik Sinner from Italy and fourth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud.