Arthur Fils is the fifth highly ranked ATP player to withdraw from Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
· Yahoo Sports
2026’s first Masters 1000 clay court tournament, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, will be without five popular players. France’s Arthur Fils, a quarterfinalist in last year’s tournament, is the latest player to withdraw from the tournament.
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Fils is coming back from a back injury that sidelined him for most of the 2025 season. He is trying to return in a responsible way so as to not injure himself again.
The same is true for Jack Draper, also out of Monte Carlo. Draper is returning from an arm injury that forced him to withdraw in the middle of the US Open last fall.
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Who else is out of Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters?
Novak Djokovic withdrew with a shoulder injury. Americans Taylor Fritz and Sebastian Korda are also not playing. Fritz has been dealing with a chronic knee injury that has hindered him since the start of the season.
Each year, the jam-packed schedule is hotly debated. It requires extensive travel and tennis for players, and they have to pay attention to their physical condition through an 11 month season running from January through November.
Some argue that players are independent contractors who can make choices as they see fit, but loss of ranking points and bonus opportunities are possible if they do not play the bigger 1000-level events like Monte Carlo.
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Who is playing in Monte Carlo?
Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion. He is slated to make his clay court debut to defend his title. After winning the Sunshine Double, Jannik Sinner is within reach of the World No. 1 ranking.
Jun 6, 2025; Paris, FR; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain returns a shot during his match against Lorenzo Musetti of Italy match on day 13 at Roland Garros Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
Alexander Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti (last year’s finalist), Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alex de Minaur, Ben Shelton, and Daniil Medvedev are the other Top 10 players expected to play in Monte Carlo.
The player with the biggest upside is Sinner. He has no points to defend because he did not play this part of the ATP Tour in 2025 because of his suspension.
Will the change of surface bring a new champion to the forefront of the pack? Watch the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters beginning April 4, 2026 on the Tennis Channel.