ATP Race Update: Jannik Sinner remains at the top as Carlos Alcaraz holds 5th spot

With the start of the clay swing, the ATP Tour season enters a new stage, along with updates in the ATP Race to Turin. With few changes at the top, Jannik Sinner remains in the lead, while Carlos Alcaraz is only just reaching No. 5. In the midst of Monte-Carlo, big changes are already looming, with only 5 of the top 10 still in competition after the first day.

The ATP Race only measures points earned during the calendar year – 2025 – starting from the first week of January. It is the ATP Race that will determine the 8 players qualified for the ATP Finals at the end of the season.

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The battle for dethrone Sinner

Despite Jannik Sinner’s long absence, now reaching two months of suspension, the Italian remains at the top of the ATP Race. With only one tournament played – the Australian Open – his third Grand Slam title in Melbourne earned him 2,000 points, which none of his rivals have yet been able to surpass.

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Alexander Zverev, who was the runner-up and earned 1,300 points, has played five tournaments since then and still hasn’t caught up to Sinner, having added just 375 points since – a modest number considering that two of them were Masters 1000s and one an ATP 500. Since Sinner’s suspension, Sascha has been the top seed in every tournament he’s entered.

Rounding out the podium is Jack Draper, champion in Indian Wells a few weeks ago. Despite an early exit in Miami Open in the opener against the surprising Czech Jakub Mensik – who later went on to win the tournament – the British No. 1 now surpasses 1,500 points and sits in the top three. A good performance this week in Monte-Carlo could allow him to climb even further, and possibly even overtake Sinner in the Race.

Jack Draper won his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells three weeks ago

Also looking to make moves this week in the Race are Novak Djokovic (4th) and Carlos Alcaraz (5th). Both are strong contenders to take the title in Monte-Carlo, although with the inconsistent results on tour in recent months, an early exit wouldn’t be a total shock either. In any case, neither Nole nor Alcaraz are expected to need much time to find their rhythm on the clay courts.

If the title goes to any of the four leaders in the Race – from 2nd to 5th, considering Sinner’s absence – they will secure the ATP Race lead, and finally, after more than two months without the Italian, replace him at the top spot.

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Mensik, Auger-Aliassime and Shelton out

In any case, calling someone a big favourite in Monte-Carlo – unlike a few years ago – no longer guarantees that they’ll take the title. In fact, it’s been a surprising start to the year, with two first-time Masters 1000 champions. Even in Miami, the surprises came early, with early exits from the Indian Wells finalists and regular favourites (Zverev, Djokovic, and Alcaraz).

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Considering that only eight players qualify for the ATP Finals at the end of the year, four of the current top eight in the ATP Race are not in contention this week. The No. 1 Sinner remains suspended. In the case of Jakub Mensik (6th), he didn’t make the cut for the Monte-Carlo entry list, as his ranking (prior to his Miami title) didn’t grant him a direct entry. Mensik chose not to play the qualifiers either.

Then came the eliminations, with Felix Auger-Aliassime (7th) and Ben Shelton (8th) both losing in the first round of Monte-Carlo. The Canadian couldn’t get past qualifier Daniel Altmaier, while Shelton delivered a disappointing performance against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

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Rounding out the ATP Race top 10 are Alex de Minaur – who hasn’t made his debut this week – and Taylor Fritz, who skipped the first Masters 1000 event on clay this season due to an abdominal injury. Major changes in the ATP Race rankings are already expected by next week.

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