Carlos Alcaraz now third-best in clay win percentage after Monte Carlo victory

Carlos Alcaraz became the fourth player with the most clay-court victories in his first 100 matches, with 82 wins.

The impressive and still short career of Alcaraz continues to reach new milestones. After defeating Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo, he became the fourth player with the most victories in his first 100 matches on clay. He also holds the third highest win percentage on clay, with 82% and eight titles.

Despite these impressive numbers on the surface, the Spaniard claims clay is not his favourite: “I had already answered that clay was my second favourite surface after hard courts, but now I don't know.”

However, after defeating Cerúndolo, he signed the camera with the words “I missed clay” and even changed his mind about his favourite surface: “I think I want to put it as my favourite now. I just missed clay. I love this time of year; I grew up on this surface, so that's why I'll put it first.”

His outstanding performance on clay has marked his career since the very beginning. In fact, his first ATP-level win came on clay, when he defeated Albert Ramos-Viñolas 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-6(2) at the 2020 ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro, at just 16 years old.

His first professional title also came on clay, at the ATP 250 in Umag in 2021, where he defeated Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-2.

The former World No. 1 has played 24 clay tournaments, reaching the final in 12 of them. He has made it to the semifinals 15 times, and the quarter-finals 17 times. Alcaraz will face Germany’s Daniel Altmaier this Thursday for a place in the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals.