MONTE-CARLO – Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2026 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the tournament confirmed Friday, continuing a spell on the sidelines due to a persistent shoulder injury. The announcement comes as the 38-year-classic Serb continues to manage discomfort that forced him to miss the Miami Open earlier this month. Meanwhile, rising French star Moïse Kouamé has been awarded a wild card entry into the prestigious clay-court tournament.
Djokovic, a two-time champion in Monte-Carlo (2013, 2015), had participated in every edition of the event since 2012 without interruption. Last year, his run was ended in the second round by Alejandro Tabilo, 6-3, 6-4, a result that marked an early upset in the tournament. The withdrawal casts further doubt on his preparation for the upcoming clay-court season and the French Open.
The shoulder injury has been a recurring issue for Djokovic in recent months. He acknowledged experiencing pain during his recent appearance at Indian Wells, stating to the Tennis Channel that the discomfort was more pronounced when not actively serving. “I’ve been struggling the last couple of weeks with that forearm and trying to go through,” Djokovic said. “It’s a bit odd, the more I serve, the better I feel, but then it comes on and off if I get cold. If I don’t serve for five or six minutes, then I feel like the first couple of serves of that game are a bit painful.”
The Monte-Carlo Masters, scheduled to run from April 5-12, will see Carlos Alcaraz return as the defending champion. Alcaraz will be looking to continue his dominance on clay, although other top players like Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev are similarly expected to contend for the title. Djokovic is now targeting a return at the Mutua Madrid Open, which begins April 22nd.
Beyond Djokovic’s absence, the tournament will feature a compelling mix of established stars and emerging talent. Notably, French tennis will be well-represented with wild card entries awarded to both Gaël Monfils and the rapidly ascending Moïse Kouamé, alongside Matteo Berrettini and Stanislas Wawrinka.
Kouamé’s inclusion is a significant moment for the 17-year-old, who recently achieved his first victory on the ATP Tour at the Miami Open, defeating Zachary Svajda 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 before falling to Jiri Lehecka 6-2, 7-5. Currently ranked 326th in the world, Kouamé is quickly making a name for himself with his powerful game and promising potential. This will be his second Masters 1000 event, providing invaluable experience against the world’s best players.
For Gaël Monfils, the 2026 Monte-Carlo Masters represents a potential farewell to a tournament where he has consistently captivated audiences with his athleticism and flair. “La Monf,” as he is affectionately known, reached the final in 2016, delivering a memorable performance against Rafael Nadal before ultimately losing in a thrilling three-set match (7-5, 5-7, 6-0). Nadal has won the tournament a record eleven times.
Monfils is the last of the “Mousquetaires” – the generation of French tennis players that included Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Gilles Simon – still actively competing on the tour. With Gasquet, Simon, and Tsonga now retired, Monfils carries the torch for a generation of French players who have inspired fans for years.
The withdrawal of Djokovic adds another layer of intrigue to the Monte-Carlo Masters. While his absence is a blow to the tournament, the presence of Alcaraz, Sinner, Zverev, and the exciting young talent like Kouamé ensures a compelling competition on the clay courts of Monaco. Fans will be eager to see if Kouamé can build on his recent success in Miami and make a splash at this prestigious event.
Djokovic’s next scheduled tournament is the Mutua Madrid Open, beginning April 22nd. He will be hoping to regain full fitness and form in time for the clay-court swing and the French Open, where he will be aiming to add to his already impressive Grand Slam tally.
The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters begins April 5th. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the tournament and updates on Djokovic’s recovery.
