Taylor Fritz has withdrawn from the 2026 Monte Carlo Masters.
His fellow American, Sebastian Korda, will also miss the first clay-court Masters 1000 event of the season.
American hopes now rest on the shoulders of Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Learner Tien, and Tommy Paul.
Will Carlos Alcaraz bounce back by winning the Monte Carlo Masters?
If not, who will win the title?
As the nation looks to end a 70-year drought in the principality.
Hugh Stewart was the last American to win the Monte Carlo Masters 70 years ago
In 1956, the late Hugh Stewart, from Los Angeles, California, won the title in Monte Carlo.
He was the fifth American to win the title, and the third in eight years.
Few would have believed that his 1956 triumph would be the last by an American for 70 years.
Many have come close, but the Monte-Carlo trophy has eluded players from the United States ever since.
American players who have lost in Monte Carlo finals since 1956
| Year | American player | Opponent | Score |
| 1959 | Budge Patty | Robert Haillet | 9-7, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 |
| 1979 | Vitas Gerulaitis | Bjorn Borg | 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 |
| 1981 | Jimmy Connors | Guillermo Vilas | (Final not played due to rain) |
| 1983 | Mel Purcell | Mats Wilander | 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 |
| 1987 | Jimmy Arias | Mats Wilander | 4-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 |
| 1992 | Aaron Krickstein | Thomas Muster | 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 |
But why have the Americans struggled?
Well, to put it simply, clay has typically been the weakest surface for most American players.
Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, two of the nation’s greatest players, only won 10 clay-court titles between them.
It’s no surprise that the French Open has been the worst Grand Slam tournament for American players over the years.
American success at Grand Slams
| Grand Slam | Titles | Last winner | Last finalist |
| Australian Open | 18 (14 in Open Era) | Andre Agassi – 2003 | Andre Agassi – 2003 |
| French Open | 11 (4 in Open Era) | Andre Agassi – 1999 | Andre Agassi – 1999 |
| Wimbledon | 33 (15 in Open Era) | Pete Sampras – 2000 | Andy Roddick – 2009 |
| US Open | 85 (19 in Open Era) | Andy Roddick – 2003 | Taylor Fritz – 2024 |
If we are to see another American lift the trophy in Monte Carlo or Roland Garros, perhaps the USTA and their new CEO, Craig Tiley, should consider investing in clay courts back home…
How did American players perform at last year’s Monte Carlo Masters?
Five Americans entered last year’s Monte Carlo Masters: Korda, Marcos Giron, Shelton, Tiafoe, and Brandon Nakashima.
As none of the above were among the top eight seeds, they all entered the tournament in the first round.
It was there that three of the five exited the competition.
Korda lost to Jiri Lehecka in straight sets, Shelton lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in three sets, and Nakashima fell to Roberto Bautista Agut, 2-6, 4-6.
Giron and Tiafoe, on the other hand, made their way through to the second round.
American players at the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters (1R)
- Sebastian Korda [LOSS] vs Jiri Lehecka, 3-6, 6-7
- Ben Shelton [LOSS] vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 7-6, 2-6, 1-6
- Brandon Nakashima [LOSS] vs Roberto Bautista Agut, 2-6, 4-6
- Marcos Giron [WIN] vs Denis Shapovalov, 6-3, 7-6
- Frances Tiafoe [WIN] vs Miomir Kecmanovic, 6-2, 5-7, 7-6
There, Giron took on Jack Draper, and Tiafoe met Alexei Popyrin.
Both players came up short, as America’s hopes of ending their Monte Carlo winless run ended before the third round even began.
American players at the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters (2R)
- Marcos Giron [LOSS] vs Jack Draper, 1-6, 1-6
- Frances Tiafoe [LOSS] vs Alexei Popyrin, 6-3, 3-6, 3-6
Will Americans fare better in 2026? Only time will tell.
The 2026 Monte Carlo Masters began on Sunday, April 5.
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