Top seed Carlos Alcaraz is gearing up for the start of his clay-court season at the Monte-Carlo Masters. Alcaraz expressed his excitement about being in Monaco as the defending champion, focusing on enjoying the tournament and the clay surface.
Alcaraz, who is participating in Monte-Carlo for the third time, holds the defending champion title at this ATP Masters 1000 event. Despite facing initial defeats in 2025, he went on to win 33 out of 34 matches upon his arrival in Monaco.
The Spanish player emphasized his happiness to return to Monte-Carlo, highlighting the significance of the clay season for him. Alcaraz mentioned that he is not dwelling on being the defending champion but is rather focused on improving his game and maintaining a positive mindset.
Reflecting on the impact of his past performance in Monte-Carlo, Alcaraz credited the tournament as a turning point in his career. He acknowledged the boost in his gameplay and mindset following the event, leading to a successful year on the court.
Clay courts have been favorable to Alcaraz, with an impressive 84.4% winning rate on the surface according to ATP Stats. His strong performance on clay positions him well to bounce back after a recent loss in Miami, aiming to continue his success in the upcoming matches.
Alcaraz, currently vying for the top spot in the ATP Rankings, is set to face either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez in the second round at Monte-Carlo.
