World number one tennis player Carlos Alcaraz expressed his excitement about returning to clay court competition in Monaco this week, as he begins preparation for defending his French Open championship.
The Spanish tennis star captured his fifth Grand Slam championship by defeating Jannik Sinner in a thrilling Roland Garros final last June, which followed his successful 2025 clay court victories in Monte Carlo and Rome, plus a second-place showing in Barcelona.
“This is probably one of the best times of the season for me,” Alcaraz shared with media members in Monaco on Sunday.
“I miss clay every time the clay season is over. It’s been a long time since Roland Garros that I haven’t touched clay. In my first practices, I said to my team that it’s time to get the socks dirty again. It feels amazing to be back on clay.”
The 22-year-old athlete, who was sidelined from last year’s Madrid Open due to injury, expressed hope for completing a full tournament schedule before the French Open main draw commences on May 24.
“Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome … that’s the plan,” the young champion stated.
“It’s very demanding physically and mentally. The week in Barcelona is perhaps when I should rest, but Barcelona is a very important tournament for me.”
“My plan is to take care of my body as much as possible during matches and tournaments.”
The seven-time Grand Slam winner credited his Monte Carlo victory as a pivotal moment in his previous season’s success.
“After the feeling that I got here, I just got better and better,” he explained.
“I understood and I realised how I should play after this week. That’s why I did an exceptional year.”
Alcaraz is scheduled to begin his Monaco tournament run in the second round against either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez.
