Carlos Alcaraz ready to get his socks dirty with return to clay
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Spain's world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will look to build momentum for the French Open when he attempts to defend his title at the April 5-12 Monte Carlo Masters.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MONTE CARLO – Carlos Alcaraz said he was eager to get his socks dirty on clay again, as the world No. 1 returned to his preferred surface in Monaco this week to build momentum for his French Open title defence.
He won his fifth Grand Slam title by beating Jannik Sinner in an epic final at Roland Garros last June, adding to his 2025 clay-court triumphs in Monte Carlo and Rome and a runner-up finish in Barcelona.
“This is probably one of the best times of the season for me,” he told reporters in Monaco on April 5.
“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.”
Alcaraz, who missed last year’s Madrid Open due to injury, hoped to play a full schedule before Roland Garros, where the main draw begins on May 24.
“Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome... that’s the plan,” he said. “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 champion, who has two titles this season, said winning the Monte Carlo trophy proved to be a turning point last season.
“After the feeling that I got here, I just got better and better,” added the 22-year-old, who suffered a shock loss to American Sebastian Korda in the last 32 of the Miami Open.
“I understood and I realised how I should play after this week. That’s why I did an exceptional year.”
Alcaraz will open his Monte Carlo campaign against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez, who beat Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 7-5 in the opening round.
In women’s tennis, Jessica Pegula showed her smooth transition to clay, clinching back-to-back victories at the WTA Charleston Open on April 5 by routing Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-2, 6-2.
The victory follows her win in Dubai in February and is the 11th title of the 32-year-old American’s career.
The Charleston Open is the clay season kick-off on the WTA Tour calendar. Pegula will be looking to improve on last-32 exits in Madrid and Rome last year and a fourth-round showing at Roland Garros. REUTERS, AFP
