Defending champion in the singles was Rafael Nadal , who won the tournament six times in a row between 2005 and 2010. Also in this year he won the title, in the final he defeated his compatriot David Ferrer ; this is Nadal's first title of the season and his 44th career title. In doubles Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjić won the title in the last two years, but they did not compete together this year. In the 2011 final, the Bryan brothers beat Juan Ignacio Chela and Bruno Soares ; after 2007, this is the Bryan brothers' second Monte Carlo title. The Bryans have thus secured their third season and their 70th joint career title.
The field of participants in the single competition consisted of 56 players, that of the double competition consisted of 24 pairs. The 8 top seeded players in singles or pairings in doubles each got a bye into the second round. The total prize money was 2,227,500 euros; the total financial liabilities were 2,750,000 euros.
The qualification took place from April 8th to 9th, 2011. Seven qualifying places were played, which entitle them to participate in the main draw of the tournament.
The following prize money and world ranking points were paid out or credited for reaching the respective round. Players who moved into the main draw via qualification received the specified qualification points in addition to those for reaching the respective round. Otherwise the amounts are not to be understood as cumulative. The prize money for the double competition is valid per team.