British No 1 Jack Draper will head to Monaco for the first of three clay-court ATP Masters 1000 tournaments at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, live on Sky Sports.
The 56th tour-level edition of the tournament will be headlined by Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, as well as Indian Wells champion Draper.
The prestigious Masters 1000 event will be held from April 6-13 at the Monte-Carlo Country Club and you can watch all the action live on Sky Sports Tennis. Matches start from 10am UK and Ireland time.
What is Jack Draper’s route to the final?
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Highlights of the Indian final between Jack Draper and Holger Rune
Draper is currently the only Brit set for main-draw action in Monte-Carlo, entering the tournament as the sixth seed following his victory at Indian Wells which catapulted him into the world’s top 10.
The 22-year-old received a bye into the second round. There he will meet the winner between Marcos Giron and former Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov.
In the third round, Draper is projected to face 11th seed Ben Shelton. He has been drawn in the same quarter of the draw as fourth seed and former Roland Garros and US Open runner-up Casper Ruud – one of the most dangerous clay court players on the tour.
Should he reach the semi-finals, Draper would potentially meet reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz for the third time this season.
Meanwhile, British No 3 Cameron Norrie was unable to join Draper in the main draw after losing 6-4 2-6 6-3 to Mattia Bellucci in qualifying.
What is the schedule for the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters?
Main draw: Sunday April 6-Sunday April 13
Doubles final: Sunday April 13 (12pm)
Singles final: Sunday April 13 (3pm)
Is Murray coaching Djokovic in Monte-Carlo?
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Novak Djokovic spoke about his relationship with his coach, Andy Murray, and said that it is still surreal that one of his biggest rivals is now his coach
No! Djokovic will be without his coach Andy Murray at the ongoing Monte-Carlo Masters, with the Scot expected to return in Madrid later this month.
“It was never part of the agreement to work with Andy this week,” said Djokovic.
“I was thinking about who I wanted, anyone apart from my fitness coach and physio, and my brother Marko was able to join me, so that helps me on a different level emotionally.”
Third-seed Djokovic could meet Stan Wawrinka in his opening match.
Where is the Monte-Carlo Masters being held?
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Taylor Fritz takes a yacht trip with girlfriend and social media influencer Morgan Riddle in Monte Carlo
Opened in 1928, the Monte-Carlo Country Club is located in the Roqbrune-Cap-Martin in the Alpes-Maritimes and has one of the most picturesque views on the circuit.
Its centre court has the capabilities to hold up to 10,000 spectators and with views overlooking the ocean, the tournament is highly regarded as one of the most loved by fans and players.
From Miami Beach to the Monte Carlo riviera
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Check out the best shots from previous years at the Monte Carlo Masters!
In her latest column for Sky Sports, Gigi Salmon spoke about audiences getting a “feel” for the clay ahead of the French Open in May.
“For the players, it’s time to shelve the hard court shoes and get ready to get dirty with the clay season upon us. There are five tournaments this week available to you on Sky Sports Tennis, and then from April 6, it’s the Monte Carlo Masters 1000, a non-mandatory ATP event set in the beautiful setting of the Monte Carlo Country Club, where players in the past on centre court have had to stop play due to the clinking of glasses coming from the hospitality areas that overlook the court,” said the host of Sky Sports Tennis.
“Still no Jannik Sinner as he continues to serve out his three-month suspension, but despite having played just one tournament this year, the Italian remains No 1, just over 2,500 points clear of Sascha Zverev, who missed another opportunity in Miami to close the gap, as did Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner is due to return just before the Rome Masters next month.
“It is definitely worth tuning in to Sky Sports Tennis so you can get a feel for the clay and to see how the players are adapting to it. We will be back in position courtside for the 1000 events in Madrid and Rome and look forward to your company for those.”
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app
