Sinner Reflects on Monte-Carlo Victory: ‘It’s Still a Bit Surreal’
The Italian star triumphed over Alcaraz on Sunday, securing his first ATP Masters 1000 title on clay.
Date: April 12, 2026
Photo: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner claims his eighth ATP Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo
By Vishakha Khandelwal
Despite his recent string of victories, Jannik Sinner finds himself astonished by his latest accomplishment.
Just last month, the Italian made headlines by becoming the first player since Roger Federer in 2017 to achieve the coveted ‘Sunshine Double’. At the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters this Sunday, Sinner faced off against fierce rival Carlos Alcaraz, marking a significant milestone by winning his inaugural ATP Masters 1000 title on clay along with his eighth overall trophy. The victory also catapults him back to the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings, a fact Sinner is still processing.
“I’m pleasantly surprised, and this victory holds immense significance for me,” Sinner expressed. “I need a bit more time to fully grasp what just happened.”
Though he may need time to digest this achievement, Sinner attributes his success to the relentless effort he has put in behind the scenes to elevate his game and maintain consistency. With his latest win in the Principality, Sinner shares the distinction with Novak Djokovic as the only player to claim victory in the first three Masters 1000 events of the season. His impressive record now stands at 24 wins and 2 losses in 2026, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
“Every day, I focused on improving myself and honing my skills,” Sinner noted. “In Monte-Carlo, we took it step by step, analyzing the best strategies against different opponents. It’s been about making small adjustments.”
Those incremental changes have made a remarkable difference for the Italian, particularly in his match against Alcaraz. With this victory, Sinner improves his record against the Spaniard to 7-10 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head encounters, securing consecutive wins against Alcaraz for the first time since 2023. Looking forward, Sinner acknowledges that he must bring his absolute best game to their future meetings.
“It was an excellent match from both sides,” Sinner commented. “There are still nuances that he’ll work on for our next encounter, and I need to be prepared for that.”
Earlier this year, Alcaraz achieved the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open and clinched the ATP 500 event in Doha. Entering the Monte-Carlo final on a remarkable 17-match clay-winning streak, he, like Sinner, dropped only one set before the title match. During the trophy presentation, Sinner took a moment to commend Alcaraz’s accomplishments.
“Carlos, your achievements are remarkable, year after year,” Sinner praised. “You continue to set new standards in the sport at such a young age. Competing against you in the finals only makes this victory even more special.”
