Jannik Sinner celebrates his biggest triumph to date on clay. This also instills great respect in French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz sent a clear warning to the competition after losing the final at the ATP Masters in Monte Carlo – but not on his own behalf. “I think he reaches a level on clay that will be really dangerous for everyone,” said the Spaniard after the 6:7 (5:7), 3:6 defeat to Jannik Sinner about his Italian rival.
Sinner now has a streak of 17 consecutive victories and is only the third player after Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to win four Masters titles in a row. The fact that he has now triumphed for the first time at a tournament in the 1000 series on the previously rather unloved clay makes him “very happy”, said Sinner. On Monday, he will replace Alcaraz as number one in the world rankings.
This was Sinner’s 27th title on the professional tour, but only his second on clay after Umag 2022. The South Tyrolean could still miss out on the Masters in Madrid (April 21 to May 3). He missed the tournament last year due to a three-month doping ban, so he has no points to defend there.
Tennis: Sinner is determined to win the French Open
Sinner’s declared goal is the French Open (from May 24), where he missed three match points in a memorable final against Alcaraz in 2025. “I’m surprised in a very positive way. I think I still need a bit of time to realize what happened,” said the 24-year-old about the successful transition from hard court to clay.
Alcaraz was at odds with his own game after the wind-affected final. “I didn’t play well in the important moments, on the crucial points. I had so many chances that I didn’t take,“ said the French Open champion, but paid tribute to Sinner: ”It’s impressive what you’re doing right now.”
Alcaraz plans to play the entire clay court season – provided his body cooperates. “I’m listening to my body much better than last year,” said Alcaraz, who had to miss 2025 in Madrid due to injury. Before traveling to the Spanish capital, he will stop off in Barcelona, where a 500 category tournament is scheduled this week before the Masters.
