The clay court season starts with Monte Carlo and culminates at Madrid.  Technically, there’s one more clay tournament (in Nice, France) prior to the French, but the likelihood is no top seeds will play that tournament.  There are three Masters 1000 (Monte Carlo, Rome, and Madrid) with Monte Carlo considered an optional tournament (the other Masters 1000 tournaments are required and count as 0 if they are skipped).

Between each of the Masters 1000 events, there are smaller events.  After Monte Carlo, there was Barcelona.  After Rome, there is Estoril, Munich, and Belgrade.  These are all ATP 250 events and normally would not attract top talent.  But, perhaps like Doha, another ATP 250 event that occurs just before the Australian Open, these events attract some talent because it prepares them for the French.  With Rafa usually winning the Masters 1000 events, others must look to smaller events if they want wins.

Roger Federer has decided to play Estoril, which he won in  2008.  The field is decidedly weak with Gael Monfils and Ivan Ljubicic the next two seeds.  Belgrade is being hosted in Novak Djokovic’s home country so he plays and supports the tournament.  John Isner and Sam Querrey, who recently played in Serbia in a Davis Cup tie, return back as second and third seeds.  The two have coordinated their travel schedules so they can play more doubles together.  Munich may have the strongest group with Cilic, Youzhny, Berdych, Kohlscreiber, and Baghdatis as top seeds.

Roger Federer is looking to regain form after losing to Ernests Gulbis in the 2nd round, and is strongly favored to win.  Novak Djokovic is also favored to win his own tournament.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, winner at Monte Carlo and Rome will take this week off.  He’s likely to play Madrid, though it’s not fully certain he will do so.