Rafael Nadal is firm favourite to bag his tenth Monte Carlo Masters title.

The Masters 1000 event in Monaco is seen by many is the start of the clay court season ahead of the French Open

“I’m playing enough well to fight for everything, I think,” he said. “I have good hopes that I going to be ready for Monte Carlo. Always when I am playing that well, on clay always helps a little bit more for me.”

Contento de estar entrenando en #MonteCarlo / Happy to be training in Monte Carlo ?

A post shared by Rafa Nadal (@rafaelnadal) on Apr 15, 2017 at 4:52am PDT

Andy Murray and Nova Djokovic are both going for the title – but a number of big names are not taking part.

Roger Federer has decided against playing along with Gael Monfils and Nick Krygios.

Murray makes his return following his elbow injury which has sidelined him in recent weeks and he will be using this as to build up to the French open.

Going into the tournament Djokovic and Nadal are favourites at 5/2 with Murray at 4/1.