The 38-year-old Serbian star has pulled out of the prestigious clay-court season opener following a recurring right shoulder issue that also sidelined him in Miami. This marks the first time since 2011 that the two-time champion will miss the event, casting doubt on his immediate form ahead of the European swing.

Shoulder Injury Persistence

The withdrawal follows a similar exit from the Miami Open and a round-of-16 loss at Indian Wells to world number four Jack Draper.

Madrid Open Return

Djokovic is now expected to return to the ATP circuit at the Madrid Open, scheduled from April 22 to May 3, as he builds toward Roland Garros.

Wildcards for Monfils and Kouamé

Organizers have granted wildcards to veteran Gaël Monfils in his final season and 17-year-old sensation Moïse Kouamé, the youngest player in the top 500.

Taylor Fritz Also Out

American world number seven Taylor Fritz has joined the list of high-profile absences due to his own injury concerns.

Novak Djokovic withdrew from the 2026 Monte-Carlo Masters, scheduled for April 5-12, due to a right shoulder injury, tournament organizers announced on Friday. The 38-year-old Serbian, currently ranked third in the ATP rankings, also missed the ongoing Miami Open with the same injury, making this his second consecutive withdrawal. The tournament organization posted a brief message on its Instagram account without specifying the reason for his absence.

„Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the tournament. We send him our best wishes and hope to see him back on court very soon.” — Monte-Carlo Masters organization via France 24

Djokovic last competed at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 earlier in March, where he lost to British player Jack Draper in the round of 16. He is a two-time champion at Monte-Carlo, having won the title in 2013 and 2015. According to the official ATP website, Djokovic is expected to return to competition at the Madrid Open, which runs from April 22 to May 3. His focus for the clay-court season remains Roland Garros, scheduled for May 24 to June 7, where he will aim for a 25th Grand Slam title. The Australian Open in January, where Carlos Alcaraz defeated him in the final, was his most recent deep run at a major.

First Monte-Carlo absence in 15 years raises questions This marks the first time Djokovic will miss the Monte-Carlo tournament since 2011, a streak of appearances spanning 15 years. The withdrawal has fueled speculation about the Serbian's physical condition and long-term schedule management, with reports suggesting his planning is oriented toward peak fitness at Roland Garros. American world number seven Taylor Fritz also withdrew from the tournament due to injury, as announced on Thursday. The back-to-back absences from Miami and Monte-Carlo represent a significant gap in competitive clay-court preparation ahead of the French Open. 24 (Grand Slam titles) — Djokovic's current Grand Slam title count, seeking a 25th at Roland Garros

The Monte-Carlo Masters is held at the Monte Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, and traditionally opens the European clay-court season. Djokovic won the title there in 2013 and 2015. The tournament has historically been dominated by Rafael Nadal, who holds a record number of titles at the event. Djokovic had not missed the tournament since 2011, making his 2026 absence his first in over a decade.

Wildcards handed to veteran Monfils and teenage prodigy Kouamé With Djokovic's spot opening in the draw, tournament organizers granted wildcards to two French players: veteran Gaël Monfils, aged 39, and 17-year-old Moïse Kouamé. Monfils, currently ranked 153rd in the world, is competing in what he has described as his final season on the professional circuit. The former world number six reached the Monte-Carlo final in 2016, where he lost to Rafael Nadal. Kouamé, ranked 325th, is the youngest player in the ATP top 500 and recently claimed his first Masters 1000 victory in Miami. Carlos Alcaraz, the world number one, will defend his title at the tournament, which runs through April 12.

[{"dateISO":"2026-01-01","date":"January 2026","title":"Australian Open final","description":"Lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final"},{"dateISO":"2026-03-11","date":"March 11, 2026","title":"Indian Wells exit","description":"Beaten by Jack Draper in the round of 16"},{"dateISO":"2026-03-01","date":"March 2026","title":"Miami Open withdrawal","description":"Withdrew due to right shoulder injury"},{"dateISO":"2026-03-27","date":"March 27, 2026","title":"Monte-Carlo withdrawal","description":"Pulled out of April 5-12 tournament, first absence since 2011"},{"dateISO":"2026-04-22","date":"April 22, 2026","title":"Expected return at Madrid Open","description":"Next scheduled appearance per ATP website"}]

Mentioned People

  • Novak Djokovic — Serbski tenisista zawodowy, były lider rankingu światowego i 24-krotny mistrz wielkoszlemowy
  • Gaël Monfils — Francuski tenisista zawodowy, były szósty zawodnik rankingu światowego
  • Jack Draper — Brytyjski tenisista zawodowy, światowy numer 4 według stanu na czerwiec 2025 roku
  • Carlos Alcaraz — Lider rankingu światowego i obrońca tytułu w Monte-Carlo Masters
  • Taylor Fritz — Amerykański tenisista zawodowy, siódmy zawodnik rankingu światowego
  • Moïse Kouamé — 17-letni francuski tenisista i beneficjent dzikiej karty

Sources: 10 articles