ANALYSIS: Why Carlos Alcaraz could kickstart revival at Monte-Carlo Masters

Carlos Alcaraz has wrapped up the first third of his 2025 season earlier than usual, and not in the way he had hoped. The Spaniard has struggled to find his rhythm, delivering performances below the high standard he has set in previous years.

His campaign began with a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open, where he fell to an injured Novak Djokovic. He then secured a title at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, but inconsistency crept in once again. At the Qatar Open, he failed to progress beyond the quarterfinals, suffering a surprising defeat to Jiri Lehecka in a match he was widely expected to win.

In Indian Wells—a tournament where he has historically thrived—Alcaraz reached the semifinals but was ousted by Jack Draper in an uncharacteristically erratic performance. The Sunshine Double then ended in disaster, as he suffered a shock first-round exit in Miami against David Goffin, despite taking the opening set.

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A Crucial Clay Court Season Ahead

Now, Alcaraz shifts his focus to the clay court swing—a surface that should, in theory, suit him best. His first stop will be the Monte-Carlo Masters, an event he has played only once in his career. That sole appearance came in 2022, fresh off winning the Miami Open—his first major title—only to lose in the opening round to Sebastian Korda in three sets.

Since then, Monte Carlo has been a tournament he has opted to skip, either due to exhaustion from the U.S. hard court swing or because of physical setbacks, as was the case last year. This time, however, there are no such excuses. With a well-earned break and extra preparation, he has every reason to target a deep run—and perhaps even a sixth Masters 1000 title. If he succeeds, it would mark his fourth different Masters 1000 triumph and his third on clay, following back-to-back Madrid Open victories in 2022 and 2023.

A Golden Opportunity in Sinner’s Absence

Another factor working in Alcaraz’s favor is the continued absence of Jannik Sinner. The Italian has emerged as his greatest rival and the most consistent player on tour, making any tournament without him a prime opportunity for Alcaraz to capitalize. Additionally, the slower conditions in Monte Carlo compared to Miami should give him more time to set up his shots and construct points—an advantage that could be key to rediscovering his best form.

With the European clay court season now underway, Alcaraz has the chance to reset, rebuild his confidence, and reaffirm his status as one of the sport’s elite. Monte Carlo could be the perfect place to start.

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