When does the clay-court tennis season begin? Which events are Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Emma Raducanu playing?

The clay-court season is nearly upon us, with the elite of men's and women's tennis preparing to head to Europe for just over two months on the dirt. It could become one of the most significant periods in tennis history, with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — tied on 22 Grand Slams — both set to make a return to action, having both missed the 'Sunshine Swing' in America.

Ad With women's world No. 1 Iga Swiatek struggling with injury and unexpected defeats, and Britain's Emma Raducanu performing strongly this year, there promises to be plenty of storylines written in the weeks ahead.

WTA MiamiRaducanu out of Miami Open in first round after three-set loss to Andreescu4 HOURS AGO When does the clay-court season begin? For the men's ATP Tour, the clay-court season begins in Monte-Carlo on April 9, a Masters 1000 event. For the women's WTA Tour, the first clay event of the spring takes place in Charleston, a WTA 500 event.

The first European clay-court tournament is in Stuttgart on April 17. What is the schedule for the clay-court season? MEN Monte-Carlo Masters: 9-16 April Barcelona Open: 17-23 April Madrid Open: 26 April — 7 May Italian Open: 10-21 May French Open (Grand Slam): 28 May — 11 Jun ATP 500 events and above only WOMEN Charleston Open: 3-9 April Stuttgart Open: 17-23 April Madrid Open: 25 April — 6 May Italian Open: 8-21 May French Open (Grand Slam): 28 May — 11 June WTA 500 events and above only Which events will Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic play? Nadal has not featured on tour since the Australian Open, where he lost in the second round to Mackenzie McDonald after suffering an abdominal injury.