Jannik Sinner will team up with Belgian Zizou Bergs in the doubles tournament at ATP Masters 1000 Montecarlo 2026, a surprise move that gives the Italian a chance to sharpen his game on clay before his individual debut.
The pair will open against Tomas Machac and Casper Ruud in their first match in Montecarlo. The doubles field also features Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Fran Cerúndolo and Álex de Miñaur, giving the event an unusually strong lineup for a format that is often treated as a side note by singles stars.
The decision to enter doubles suggests Sinner is using the opening days in Montecarlo to build rhythm rather than waiting for the singles draw to do the work. That matters because clay can expose timing and footwork issues quickly, and a competitive doubles match offers live points without the full physical load of a long singles run.
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What makes the move stand out is its timing. Sinner is not being listed as a doubles regular, and Bergs is the partner chosen for a one-off run at a Masters 1000 event that usually turns into a test of depth and adaptability as much as ranking. Against Machac and Ruud, the opening round will tell whether the pairing can turn that brief tune-up into something more useful than a practice session.
For now, Montecarlo gives Sinner and Bergs a clear first step and a useful one. If they settle quickly, the doubles court could do exactly what they came for: prepare Sinner for the singles stage without wasting a day.
