Press Conference – Monaco

A 119th edition under the sign of global excellence and Monegasque pride

On Thursday, in the reception rooms of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, the official hotel of the tournament, David Massey, Director of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, presented the key directions for the upcoming edition. The tournament will be held from 4 to 12 April 2026 on the legendary clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, presided over by Melanie-Antoinette de Massy.

Organised by the Société Monégasque pour l’Exploitation du Tournoi de Tennis, the event is the first major European fixture in the ATP Masters 1000 category and marks a key stage on the international calendar each year.

Much like the Monaco Grand Prix or the Monaco Yacht Show, the Principality will live to the rhythm of the tournament for over a week, kicking off the Monegasque events season.

Looking back on the 2025 edition, marked by the first victory of Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and a record attendance of more than 150,000 spectators, David Massey announced that the 119th edition will open with the official draw, to be held on Friday 3 April at 5 p.m. in Monaco. The ceremony will be launched by the defending champion and broadcast live on Monaco Info.

Great expectations for Monegasque players

While the final list of 45 players directly admitted to the main draw will only be officially confirmed on 10 March 2026, the closing date for ATP entries, the tournament director is already confident about the exceptional quality of the field for this 119th edition of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

Last year, the Franco-Monegasque pairing of Manuel Guinard and Romain Arneodo, who received a wild card, created a sensation by winning a historic doubles title. In the same discipline, Hugo Nys also distinguished himself by winning the Rome Masters 1000 with his Polish partner Jan Zielinski in 2023.

In singles, all eyes will be on Valentin Vacherot. The Monegasque made his breakthrough by recording his first victory in the main draw of a Masters 1000 against Jan-Lennard Struff at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, before confirming his talent a few months later by clinching the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Now ranked 25th in the world, he gains direct entry to the main draw in 2026 and will be able to count on the unwavering support of the Monegasque public.

They will also meet up with the Davis Cup team in September for a decisive encounter against Finland, with their sights set on reaching the first round of the Davis Cup Finals Qualifiers.

As is traditional for this first major clay-court event of the season, most of the top players on the ATP Tour are expected. Spectators are particularly hoping for the return of major figures such as Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic, not to mention Italian number one Jannik Sinner, whose presence is expected to generate great enthusiasm among fans from across the Alps.

Monte-Carlo Beach Club privatised for players

Continuing its commitment to providing players with exceptional hospitality conditions, the tournament management has renewed the privatisation of the prestigious Monte-Carlo Beach Club, retained for the second consecutive year as the “Players’ Village.” Now a true dedicated haven, this space is once again entirely reserved for players, their teams and their families, guaranteeing them a living environment unique in the world. This renewal confirms the special attention paid to player well-being and fully illustrates the excellence and prestige of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

Still driven by this pursuit of excellence, the tournament is further strengthening its facilities: the players’ gym will now be attached to the Players’ Village and will benefit from a surface area of more than 320 m². In addition, the Players’ Village will be expanded to include a quiet zone, designed as a dedicated space for recovery and serenity.

The Monte-Carlo Bay remains the official hotel of the tournament.

David Massey stated: “We can’t wait to welcome the best players on the ATP Tour for 9 days of fierce competition, and to welcome fans into our stands as well as around the world through our international broadcast.”

He also added: “We have all the ingredients to deliver another sensational edition.”

What’s new in this 119th edition

Faced with ever-increasing attendance and in order to offer a better on-site experience, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is innovating. Among the main new features of this edition, the spectator experience is also being enhanced. In the heart of the commercial village, four screens will allow spectators to follow matches live. The entertainment area has been completely redesigned and will now feature a giant screen, sun loungers, a picnic area, a refreshment bar and various recreational spaces, creating a true gathering place within the tournament.

As part of the modernisation of infrastructure, the top floor of the MCCC Clubhouse, the former press centre, will be inaccessible in 2026. The press centre has been relocated to the Pavillon de la Bergerie: levels -3 and -2 will be dedicated to broadcast operations, level 1 will retain its function as a press conference room, while the 2nd and 3rd floors will accommodate the media.

On the technological front, the Electronic Line Calling Live system, recognised for its precision with an average error rate of 0.02 per match across the entire clay-court season, will be deployed for the second time in the Principality.

In terms of broadcasting, the tournament will benefit from extensive coverage in France: full coverage on Eurosport throughout the week, one match per day on France.tv and the final broadcast on France 4. All three courts will be fully televised.

As part of its television production, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters will install a system called HawkVision, which involves the introduction of 60 cameras, digitally unified, offering a unique view of the court from just behind the players.

Partnerships

Alongside Rolex, the title partner, the tournament is proud to announce the extension of its partnerships with Emirates, Maserati, Generali, Adecco, Dunlop, Yokohama, Minuty and Tecnifibre, who are renewing their commitment and trust. This loyalty reflects the strength of the relationships built over the years and the enduring appeal of the event.

The Tournament is also pleased to welcome a new partner, the Italian pasta house Rummo, which joins the adventure for this edition, as well as to celebrate the return of the Lanson Champagne House among the official partners.

These collaborations fully contribute to the tournament’s renown and excellence, linking its image to benchmark brands that share the same values of rigour and prestige.

Renewed charitable action

The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is also pleased to continue its charitable initiative alongside BNP Paribas through the “Points for Change” programme, which combines sporting performance with philanthropic commitment.

“Since 2023, the tournament has supported the GEMLUC association, whose mission to fight cancer remains at the heart of our charitable actions. True to the memory of the Baroness de Massy, beloved mother of Melanie and much-loved President, we naturally renew our commitment to this essential cause.”

The funds raised during this edition will finance external breast prostheses after mastectomy while awaiting breast reconstruction for patients treated for breast cancer at the CHPG.