MONACO — Jannik Sinner triumphed over reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz with a score of 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Sunday, marking his inaugural victory at the Monte Carlo Masters and seizing the No. 1 ranking back from his fierce tennis competitor.
“This result is simply incredible,” Sinner exclaimed. “Reclaiming the No. 1 spot holds immense significance for me.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion, Sinner, faced off against seven-time major victor Alcaraz in what has famously been dubbed the “Sincaraz” rivalry, showcasing their ninth final encounter.
With this victory, Sinner has narrowed Alcaraz’s head-to-head lead to 10-7, securing his 27th career title and his first Masters title on clay. The 24-year-old Italian will ascend back to No. 1 in the ATP rankings on Monday.
Sinner made a strong comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the second set, battling against the gusty winds at the Monte Carlo Country Club. He sealed the match on his first match point as Alcaraz’s forehand sailed long.
“It was rather breezy, quite different from what we’ve seen throughout the tournament,” Sinner noted. “Winning a major title on this surface is a first for me, and it truly means a lot.”
Despite Alcaraz’s impressive 17-match clay winning streak, he faced difficulties on Sunday, accumulating 45 unforced errors.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged Sinner’s outstanding performance.
“What you’re accomplishing right now is remarkable,” Alcaraz congratulated him. “Kudos on everything.”
Sinner dropped to his knees as Alcaraz’s shot went long, then dashed to celebrate with his team.
“I felt a bit fatigued, so I focused on maintaining the right mindset,” Sinner reflected. “Holding this trophy carries immense meaning for me.”
This victory marks Sinner’s third title of the year, following straight-set wins at Indian Wells and Miami, making him only the fourth player to reach the finals in the first three Masters events of the season. He joins tennis legend Novak Djokovic (from 2015) as the only player to claim victory in all three initial Masters tournaments.
Alcaraz has secured two titles this year, including the Australian Open, making him the youngest man to win all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Last season, he pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat Sinner in the French Open final, then lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon final before winning again in the U.S. Open final.
