(VIDEO) Carlos Alcaraz returns to clay courts as Monte-Carlo target approaches

Carlos Alcaraz has returned to clay-court training in Murcia as he begins preparations for the European clay swing, with footage showing the World No. 1 working at his base in El Palmar ahead of the Monte-Carlo Masters. The Spaniard was seen training at Club de Campo Murcia alongside his coaching team, focusing on both physical and technical adjustments.

The session, shared on Sunday, March 29, comes as his main rival, Jannik Sinner, prepares to contest the Miami Open final. The Spaniard is using the extra time gained after his early elimination during the Sunshine Double to prepare for the surface transition, with his first clay tournament now just one week away.

Alcaraz arrives after a Sunshine Double that fell below expectations. He suffered a surprising exit in the Indian Wells semi-finals against Daniil Medvedev, while his run in Miami was an even bigger shock, as he was eliminated as early as the Round of 32 by home player Sebastian Korda.

Those early exits, combined with Sinner’s strong form, place added pressure on the Spaniard in the race for the top ranking, particularly considering the significant number of points Alcaraz must defend in the coming months.

The clay swing represents the most demanding segment of Alcaraz’s season from a ranking perspective. The Spaniard is defending approximately 4,300 points across the surface, including titles in Monte-Carlo, Rome and Roland Garros, as well as a final appearance in Barcelona.

That combination places immediate pressure on his early results. Any drop-off from those performances could have a direct impact on his hold over the No. 1 ranking, particularly given Sinner’s current trajectory. The Italian does not defend significant points until May in Rome, where he finished runner-up, meaning he still has opportunities in Monte-Carlo and Madrid to add up to 1,000 points at each event.

For Alcaraz, even if he matches his three titles, his only realistic opportunities to gain additional points come in Madrid — where he did not compete in 2025 due to injury — and Barcelona, where he finished runner-up last year after losing the final to Holger Rune.

Alcaraz’s early exit in Miami — where he was eliminated on Sunday — was followed by a quick return to Spain, seeking a few days of rest before fully committing to the surface transition. This approach has previously delivered strong results, notably in 2025, when he also exited Miami earlier than expected — a defeat that preceded a dominant clay run.

During that stretch, Alcaraz produced a 22–1 record on clay and secured three major titles, establishing himself as the leading player on the surface. That precedent reinforces the significance of his current preparation phase, despite the recent setbacks in the United States.

The focus now shifts to Monte-Carlo, the first milestone of the clay swing, where he begins a sequence that will define his ranking outlook over the coming months. Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros follow in quick succession, forming a condensed calendar with limited margin for error.