Why the 2026 Rolex Monte-Carlo Open Might Be the Most Electric Masters 1000 of the Year
The beginning of the 2026 Tennis season started with a bang at the Australian Open. The main players in this tournament were the then world's first, second, and third-ranked players: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic. At the time, most fans were calling the tournament for Sinner, for good reason. Sinner won the tournament in 2024 and 2025; Alcaraz had never won the tournament before, and Djokovic’s age ruled him out as a true contender for even the finals. The tennis world, however, was turned upside down when Djokovic beat Sinner for a chance at the finals, and Alcaraz ended up winning the tournament. This set up Alcaraz for a great year, Djokovic to make a comeback, and that Sinner time in the spotlight may be ending.
All of that started to change in March with the Indian Wells and Miami Open Tournaments. Sinner did better than both Alcaraz and Djokovic at these tournaments. At Indian Wells, Djokovic lost before the quarterfinals, and Alcaraz lost in the Semi-Finals; meanwhile, Sinner won the tournament. At the Miami Open, Sinner won the title, whereas Alcaraz lost after two matches, and Djokovic didn’t participate in the tournament. Both Masters 1000 events also had strong showings from unexpected players outside these three. Daniil Medvedev was a finalist at Indian Wells, and Jiri Lehecka was a finalist in Miami, both as underdog contenders.
Beyond just this, the outcomes of these two tournaments are a near direct reversal of the Australian Open. Sinner won both tournaments, Alcaraz didn’t make it to the finals either time, and Djokovic's playing is showing his age. Djokovic’s 2026 has been the most interesting reversal with his withdrawal from the Miami Open and the upcoming Rolex Monte-Carlo due to a shoulder injury. This is due to a shoulder injury he sustained, but it may be a sign that retirement might be on his horizon. Djokovic’s past contemporaries, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both retired around the same time in their careers, so it’s not out of the question. If his injury doesn’t heal in time for Roland Garros in mid-May, then it would be one of the very few times Djokovic has not participated in a Major. Djokovic’s drop from the Rolex Monte-Carlo Open this year could either open the door for someone to become the third in a new ‘Big Three’ with Alcaraz and Sinner or prove that this era of tennis is a two-man game. Either way, the results will tell a lot for the season to come.
