On a drama-less day at the Monte Carlo Masters where 13 of the 14 matches finished in straight sets, tournament favorites Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic cruised into the third round.

Playing in their first matches since Melbourne, Nadal blasted past Federico Delbonis 6-1, 6-2 while Djokovic was in full control in a 6-4, 6-2 win over teen Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic is now 10-0 on the year after his first meeting with …

Following a loss today to Cristian Garin, Felix Auger Aliassime talked about the hiring of new coach Toni Nadal, who is Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former mentor. He joins the team under current coach Fredric Fontang.

“In the last month of last year I was starting to think that there might be a possibility for me in the future to work with someone with a lot of experience at …

Stefanos Tsitsipas showed his clay cruising past 2021 breakout star Aslan Karatsev 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the third round at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The Greek is now 18-5 on the season.

“I knew I had to face a difficult opponent today,” Tsitsipas said. “I managed to push him back and attack with my forehand. Things worked out pretty well for me.

“My clay court experience helps a lot to come …

A positive COVID test has forced No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev out of the Monte Carlo Masters, it was announced on Tuesday.

“It’s a big disappointment not to play in Monte-Carlo. My focus is now on recovery and I look forward to getting back out on Tour as soon and as safely as possible,” said Medvedev.

Medvedev tested positive on Monday. The tournament allowed players who have homes in Monte Carlo to …

The Rome entry list was released today and Roger Federer’s name wasn’t on it. The Swiss who was a 4-time finalist at the Foro Italico could still take a wildcard down the road, but as of now he’s scheduled only for Madrid and then the French Open.

Federer hasn’t played on clay since his 2019 semifinal loss at the French Open to Rafael Nadal.

Federer underwent two right knee surgeries last …

On a wet day by the Mediterranean just a handful of matches were completed Monday at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Surprise Australian Open semifinalist Aslan Karatsev made his mark topping the talented Italian teen Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-4.

Karatsev got early breaks in both sets then endured a four hour rain delay late in the second to get through his Monte Carlo debut.

“It was a really tough match my first match of …

There are no fans this year in Monte Carlo, and that’s a problem for Benoit Paire. Today, Paire dropped his sixth straight match losing to Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-6(5).

After the loss, Paire continued to express his hatred of playing under COVID conditions, and with no fans.

“I have nothing to expect,” Paire said. “I just don’t care. There’s no magic. What is the pleasure playing like this? Of course, it’s …

Djokovic isn’t worried about having not played in two months since his Australian Open title. And the fact the event is being held where he lives is an added bonus.

“I have had some periods in my career where I didn’t play a tournament for maybe couple months, then came back,” Djokovic said. “I don’t think there is anything special I have to do in terms of preparation in order for …

Rafael Nadal has no issues that his former longtime coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, is now working with rising Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Speaking in Monte Carlo today, Nadal was happy that his uncle has a new gig.

“I am happy for him, happy for at the same time academy have somebody with such a great player like Felix is a positive thing,” Nadal said. “At the same time, well, Toni …

Daniil Medvedev has come clean (or dirty): He doesn’t like the clay and the clay doesn’t like him.

Speaking in his pre-tournament presser ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters, the world No. 2 admitted that clay is not his surface of choice.

“I’m not hiding this, I don’t like clay,” Medvedev said Sunday. “I’m not going to South America, although I like to travel. I would like to go there once in …

Daniil Medvedev met the press today at the Monte Carlo Masters which just got underway.

The second-seeded Medvedev couldn’t understand why the French Open moved just one week back. And his reasoning makes sense.

“I must say it’s a bit ridiculous. But not on the part of the French Federation or the government, it’s just the general situation. When you look at that way, it gives you the feeling that …

Monte Carlo is back! After missing 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus, the historic stop along the Mediterranean officially opens the men’s red clay season, and does so with a bang.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic head the pack that includes a youthful array of challengers including Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Among those not playing are Dominic Thiem, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka. Wawrinka just underwent …

What looked to be a star-studded finish to the clay court event in Charleston evaporated on Friday as the tournament lost its three biggest remaining stars: Ash Barty, Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens.

Barty, who had just defended her Miami title on Saturday, was dismissed by Paola Badosa 6-4, 6-3.The Spaniard had never won a match against a Top 20 player entering the week, but after wins over Belinda Bencic …

Rafael Nadal’s famed uncle, Toni Nadal, has joined the camp of rising Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The 20-year-old Auger-Aliassime recently did a trial run at Rafa’s academy in Spain in the off season, and a deal has now been struck. Toni will be there alongside former ATP player Federic Fontang who has coached Auger-Aliassime for four years and will continue in that lead role.

Toni Nadal coached Rafa until early 2017 when …

With COVID-19 cases rising in Paris, the French Open opted to move their tournament back one week. The tournament was to begin on May 23, but will now start May 30.

The second week of the French currently is also occupied by grass events in Den Bosch and Stuttgart, both ATP, and WTA’s Nottingham. Last year, no grass events were played.

With the Olympics in late July and the clay season already …