Carlos Alcaraz Eyes Monte Carlo Masters Title After Injury Layoff

MONTE CARLO, Monaco — World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz will kick off his clay court season at the Monte-Carlo Masters, starting April 5, 2025. Having missed significant action last season due to injury, Alcaraz is eager to amplify his performance on red clay, where he has struggled in the past.

With a two-time title at the Madrid Open in 2022 and 2023, Alcaraz now sets his sights on claiming his first title in Monte Carlo, a venue where he has previously endured early exits. The young Spaniard lost in the second round to Andrey Rublev in 2022 and a third-round match to Jannik Sinner in 2023.

“I am looking forward to making a fresh start here in Monte Carlo after last year’s injury,” Alcaraz said. “It’s a great opportunity to represent Spain and take my game to the next level.”

Alcaraz’s clay court journey begins against either Italy’s Fabio Fognini or Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo. While he has historical success against Fognini, having defeated him twice, the matchup against Cerundolo is contentious; the Argentine is 3-2 against top ten players this season and has posted an 8-3 record on clay.

In the 2024 season, Alcaraz’s earlier performances showcased glimpses of his resilience, reaching the semifinals at Indian Wells before falling to Jack Draper. Despite the setback of not defending his title, Alcaraz’s victory at the Rotterdam Open in February signals his return to form.

Challengers loom over Alcaraz in the Monte-Carlo tournament. Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, fresh off back-to-back titles in Adelaide and Montpellier, could provide a tactical challenge should they face each other in the later rounds. “Facing Carlos is always a tough matchup, but I’m ready for the challenge,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned.

Should he advance, Alcaraz might encounter French talents Arthur Fils and Gael Monfils, the latter being a veteran who recently proved his prowess by winning the ASB Classic at age 38. Both players will aim to capitalize on any vulnerabilities in Alcaraz’s game.

“I’m excited to see new talent like Fils rising up, but I believe I can compete against any player,” Alcaraz affirmed.

The tournament will also feature the formidable Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas, both of whom have had success on clay. Djokovic has two Monte-Carlo titles (2013, 2015), while Tsitsipas has won three of the last four editions, including 2024.

Alcaraz is keen to outshine his past performances and is confident heading into this season. “Every game is a stepping stone; I take it as it comes,” he stated. With the eyes of the tennis world upon him, Alcaraz is set to challenge the legend of clay as he embarks on this awaited journey.