Alcaraz Thrilled to Return to Clay: ‘I’ve Missed It Immensely’
The World No. 1 shares how Monte-Carlo has been pivotal for his 2026 season
Date: April 06, 2026
Image Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
As the reigning champion, Carlos Alcaraz is ready to compete in Monte-Carlo for the third time, marking the start of the clay-court ATP Masters 1000 series.
By ATP Staff
It’s evident that top seed Carlos Alcaraz can hardly contain his excitement for the kick-off of his clay-court season at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be back in Monte-Carlo, the first tournament on clay for me, and it feels fantastic,” Alcaraz expressed to ATP Media on Thursday. “Honestly, I’ve missed this surface so much. I plan to relish every moment I get on this stunning court at a wonderful tournament.”
“Being here as the defending champion is not something I’m overly focused on. My primary goal is to maintain a positive mindset and improve after each practice. Let’s see how it unfolds.”
Last year, Alcaraz kicked off his clay-court season following two tough matches at Indian Wells and Miami, where he faced defeats against Jack Draper and David Goffin, respectively. However, once he arrived in the Principality, he triumphed in 33 of his next 34 matches.
“This week was crucial for me. I would label it the pivotal moment of my 2025 season,” Alcaraz recalled. “After my experiences here, I gained a better understanding of my game, leading to an exceptional year post-Monte-Carlo.”
Clay has always been a stronghold for Alcaraz, who boasts an impressive 84.4% win rate on this surface, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Only legends Rafael Nadal (90.5%) and Bjorn Borg (86.1%) have higher winning percentages, making this the perfect opportunity for the Spaniard to regain momentum after a setback in Miami against Sebastian Korda.
“I began my tennis journey on clay courts. I started playing at the age of four and didn’t touch a hard court until I was eight—only briefly,” Alcaraz shared. “That’s why the clay season feels so special to me, and the anticipation between seasons stretches almost a whole year.”
As Alcaraz battles for the top spot in the PIF ATP Rankings against Jannik Sinner, he carries the confidence of being last year’s Monte-Carlo champion. The young star is set to face either former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez in the second round.
“I can’t think of a better place to start the clay season than here. In terms of scenery, Monte-Carlo is the most beautiful tournament we have on Tour,” Alcaraz remarked. “The aesthetics are incredible. When the clay courts are in pristine condition at the start of a match, it’s a breathtaking experience.”
