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Nine ATP Stars Withdraw from Monte-Carlo Masters

Originally posted on Serve on SI | By Pat Benson | Last updated Apr 3, 2026 8:28 AM ET

Most tennis fans are still catching their breath from the Sunshine Swing. However, the players are awarded no such luxury. The clay court season has already begun, and many top-ranked players are prioritizing their health and long-term goals for the season over short-term gains in the ATP Rankings.

Unfortunately, that means one of the most beautiful clay court events will be without some of the sport's biggest stars. Below is a breakdown of the nine men who have pulled out of the 2026 Monte-Carlo Masters.

Novak Djokovic

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Novak Djokovic has already missed a handful of tournaments this year, including the Miami Open. Djokovic will delay the start of his clay court season and potentially return for the Madrid Open.

Ben Shelton

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Ben Shelton is currently competing at the Houston ATP 250. Shelton is eyeing a deep run in Houston, and that means he cannot make the lengthy trip to Monte Carlo.

Taylor Fritz

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Taylor Fritz has battled knee tendinitis for over six months and finally decided to step away from the game for a few weeks in hopes his knee will calm down.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

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Alejandro Davidovich Fokina made it to the semifinals of the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters. However, Davidovich Fokina will take a slightly longer break after his surprising opening-round loss at the Miami Open.

Tommy Paul

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Like Shelton, Tommy Paul is still competing in Houston. If the American is able to make a deep run at the ATP 250 tournament, there will be no time to make the trip to Monte Carlo. We should see Paul in Madrid.

Learner Tien

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Like Shelton and Paul, Learner Tien is in the Houston quarterfinals. Given his level of play, Tien could be primed for his second career ATP title and first championship on clay.

Jack Draper

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Instead of traveling to Monte Carlo, Jack Draper will continue training in London, England. Draper wants to continue building his fitness ahead of the summer months. The top-ranked British star missed most of the second half of the 2025 season after sustaining a "complex" and long-term bone bruising injury in his left serving arm.

Arthur Fils

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Arthur Fils made a strong run at the Miami Open, but understands the importance of not pushing his body beyond its limits. After overdoing it last year during the clay court season, Fils is taking a more cautious approach this season.

Holger Rune

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Holger Rune is making an incredibly fast comeback from a torn Achilles tendon. Rune still wants to return for clay court season this year, but will not play at Monte Carlo.

The Monte-Carlo Masters runs from April 5-12. The ATP 1000 event is played on the clay courts at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Last year, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Lorenzo Musetti to win the title and kick off his incredible clay court season.

Clay court season is here, and tennis fans can expect more exciting developments.

This article first appeared on Serve on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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