The journey to Roland Garros starts in Monaco, as the 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters beckons the ATP’s elite to vie for supremacy in the first Masters tournament of this year’s clay court circuit.
A captivating showdown looms as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz appear destined to renew their rivalry. Positioned in the same bracket following Friday’s draw, the duo could potentially clash in the semi-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 event. Djokovic holds a 3-2 advantage over Alcaraz in their Lexus ATP Head2Head encounters, prevailing in their most recent encounter at the Nitto ATP Finals in November.
The top-seeded Serbian, a two time champion in Monte-Carlo, is slated to kick off his campaign against Roman Safiullin. A potential challenge looms in the third round against Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian who famously beat Djokovic in the same stage last season. Musetti, having beaten the 13th seed Taylor Fritz, plays Frenchman Arthur Fils next.
Meanwhile, defending champion Andrey Rublev, seeded sixth, commences his title defense against Alexei Popyrin. He is positioned to potentially clash with Djokovic in the quarter-finals. Rublev’s path to the quarter-finals may include a third-round encounter with the 11th seed Alex de Minaur, who faces 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka in the opening round.
Djokovic, the top seed, shoulders the weight of defending the most points throughout the clay court swing. His quest is underscored by the necessity to stave off a potential rankings decline amid his recent struggles. Since 2019, Djokovic hasn’t progressed beyond the round of 16 stage at this tournament. Notably, he is said to be collaborating with compatriot Nenad Zimonjic following the abrupt departure of Croatian coach Goran Ivanisevic.
Alcaraz, the third seed, is playing in his second Monte-Carlo after a second-round exit in 2022. With an impressive clay-court record boasting seven tour-level titles, the Spaniard commences his campaign against Felix Auger-Aliassime. His path potentially leads to a showdown with Dubai champion Ugo Humbert in the third round. This could be followed by a quarter-final clash with Casper Ruud.
Notably, Monte-Carlo poses a unique challenge for Alcaraz due to his commitments to Spanish home events like the Barcelona Open and Madrid Masters. Last season, he opted out of Monte Carlo, making his current participation all the more significant. A strong performance here could see him earn crucial points and propel him back to the world #2 ranking.
Jannik Sinner(+380) ascended to the World #2 spot following his triumph at the Miami Open, displacing Alcaraz. The Italian sensation has showcased unrivaled dominance throughout 2024, clinching the highest number of titles and matches thus far. Leading the ATP Race to Turin, Sinner finds himself on the cusp of claiming the coveted position of world No. 1. Moreover, his Italian heritage ensures him a substantial portion of support from the Monégasque crowd, further solidifying his position as a fan favorite.
Daniil Medvedev(+430) stunned the tennis world by clinching his maiden title on clay last summer in Rome. His impressive journey includes a notable run to the 2019 Monte Carlo semifinals, where he defeated formidable opponents such as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic. However, despite reaching two finals this season, Medvedev has yet to secure a title. His aversion to the clay surface is well-documented. Recent struggles suggest a mental challenge, particularly evident in his unfavorable head-to-head record against the Top 3 players.
The 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters, also referred to as the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters due to sponsorship, is a prestigious tennis event exclusively for male professionals, taking place on outdoor clay courts. This edition marks the 117th iteration of the annual Monte Carlo Masters tournament. Rolex serves as the sponsor for the 15th consecutive time. Hosted at the Monte Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, the tournament holds significance as an ATP Masters 1000 event on the 2024 ATP Tour calendar.
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.