Instead of taking a break after his Sunshine Double success, Jannik Sinner entered the 2026 Monte-Carlo Masters to test and improve his clay-court game. To best understand his potential early on in the clay swing, he participated in the men’s doubles category, too.
Sinner won his first match with partner Zizou Bergs on Sunday, beating Tomáš Macháč and Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-5. The tight schedule, however, has forced the Italian to pull out of their next match against Manuel Guinard and Guido Andreozzi. Bergs’ father shared the update on social media while recognizing the significance of Sinner’s singles run.
Zizou Bergs’ Father Shares a Message About Jannik Sinner’s Monte-Carlo Masters Run
Sinner had a day off after his first doubles win. He began his singles campaign in the second round against Ugo Humbert on Tuesday. The Italian came out with all guns blazing, beating the Frenchman 6-3, 6-0.
He initially planned to continue in doubles, expecting to compete on Wednesday. However, when the match was pushed to Thursday, the same day as his Round-of-16 match against Macháč, he opted to prioritize singles.
In his message, Koen Bergs, Zizou’s father, underlined the gravity of Sinner’s campaign in Monte-Carlo. The Italian is chasing his career’s first big title on clay, and he also stands a chance to reclaim his World No. 1 position.
“It is official now. No doubles R2 for Zizou and Jannik. Jannik withdraws from the doubles draw. Understandable since he can become N1 in this tournament. Nevertheless, great experience for Zizou which will never be forgotten,” Koen Bergs wrote on X.
It is official now. No doubles R2 for Zizou and Jannik. Jannik withdraws from the doubles draw. Understandable since he can become N1 in this tournament. Nevertheless, great experience for Zizou which will never be forgotten.
📷 @ROLEXMCMASTERS @atptour pic.twitter.com/zsswKCLZBc— Koen Bergs (@KoenBergs) April 8, 2026
The Belgian player had only nice words about his brief doubles stint with Sinner. After his first singles match, he opened up about the unexpected team-up.
“It’s a big honor to be playing next to him, and we just have a lot of fun on the court too. Yesterday we got the win, but obviously singles, it’s the important one for us, and when there’s time and eagerness to play doubles, we play,” he told the press.
MORE: ‘Would’ve Never Dared To Ask Jannik Sinner’ – Zizou Bergs’ Father Details Monte-Carlo Collab
Incidentally, Zizou Bergs has also advanced to the Round of 16 at the tournament. He opened his campaign with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Adrian Mannarino, and on Wednesday, he beat former champion Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-1. He faces a tough opponent in Alexander Zverev for a place in his first-ever Masters 1000 quarterfinal on clay.
