2023 Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Preview

Now that the American hardcourt swing is over with the sunshine double in Indian Wells and Miami, it is off to the clay court portion of the ATP calendar. Now there are events on clay all year round at the challenger level, but the big three Masters 1000 events leading to the French Open get underway this week. First up on the schedule is the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.

The field will be lacking some big names this year as Carlos Alcaraz, 11-time champion Rafael Nadal, and Felix Auger-Aliassime have all withdrawn from the tournament citing injuries. Alcaraz was looking to complete the sunshine double in Miami before losing to Jannik Sinner in the semis when an injury that forced him to skip the Australian Open reappeared. Nadal has been nursing a hip issue since January, but this is one of his favourite tournaments to play leading into the French.

However, there are still a lot of good players in the field including World Number one Novak Djokovic, who returns to action. Stan Wawrinka, a former champion, was awarded a wild card. And let’s not forget the two-time defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas. And of course there is “Hardcourt Specialist” Daniil Medvedev fresh off his win in Miami along with Sinner and a loaded field of great players.

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First-round action is set to begin on Sunday in Monte Carlo. The Monte Carlo Rolex Masters runs April 9th through April 16th.

This is one of the best events on the ATP schedule. It is a loaded field minus two of the better clay court players in Nadal and an up-and-coming Alcaraz. Not to mention Auger-Aliassime has acclimated himself well to the dirt. But all eyes will be on Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic had a hiccup in Monte Carlo last year losing to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in what was truly an upset and Davidovich Fokina’s breakout match on tour. Davidovich Fokina went all the way to the final losing to Tsitsipas. However, things don’t get easier for Djokovic this year even though Novak is one of the favorites to win this title.

He is in the same quarter as the young Italian Jannik Sinner. Sinner has looked great in Indian Wells and making the final in Miami. Though Sinner lost to Djokovic in Monte Carlo in 2021 and blew two sets to love lead at Wimbledon, he is a different player. Plus Djokovic has not played in a while.

Then there is Mr. Hardcourt Specialist himself Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev has made it known he is not a fan of clay. Heck, he was not a fan of the slow hardcourts in Indian Wells. However, Medvedev has the game to play on all surfaces. He made the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in 2021 and made the semifinals at Monte Carlo as well. If the conditions are right and his serve is on Medvedev could make a 6th straight final. Medvedev has won four titles in five final appearances this year.

Can’t count out Alexander Zverev, who is playing well since ankle surgery. Then there is Matteo Berretini who is having a down year by his standards. Dominic Thiem is coming back from wrist surgery, at one time was the second-best clay court player behind Nadal. Thiem went to back-to-back Roland Garros finals. Just imagine if Thiem can get going as well.

Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, and Taylor Fritz are other players to watch as the tournament gets underway. Of course, there is always a player that comes out of nowhere to make a run in Monte Carlo.