A young boy, an unfulfilled dream, and a chance to grab it all in the 2022 US Open. Carlos Alcaraz not only won that tournament but also became the first teenager to top the singles rankings. Alcaraz’s story was just getting started and there was so much to achieve. So much to learn and so much to deliver. And, with comparisons akin to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer from a young age, this boy had to navigate the pressure of fame, expectations, and most of all the glamor that tennis brings.
After multiple losses to the legendary Novak Djokovic, the 21-year-old prodigy endured one of his toughest stretches as 2025 began. This January, he lost against Djokovic again as the Serbian outmatched him in three of the four rounds he played in the Australian Open. Then the ATP Masters 1000 rolled in, and Alcaraz vowed to improve his ranking and make comeback. However, at Indian Wells, Alcaraz’s efforts fell short as Jack Draper bested the Spaniard by 6-1, 0-6, and 6-4. To make matters worse, Alcaraz also struggled at the Miami Open. Alcaraz was unfortunate, falling to a lower-ranked David Goffin in a major upset.
However, now it seems the Carlos Alcaraz redemption arc is just beginning. The tennis prodigy has sealed his Monte Carlo title and has defeated Lorenzo Musetti by 3-6,6-1 and 6-0 in the final. Still, something felt missing in the win, as Alcaraz reflected in a post-match interview.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Tennis – Men’s Singles semifinals – Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France – August 02, 2024. Lorenzo Musetti of Italy reacts during his match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia. REUTERS/Claudia Greco
“This is not the way I want to win a match. Thinking about Lorenzo, he’s been through a really tough week, long and intense matches. I just feel sorry for him to end one of the best results he’s done like this. It’s not easy. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious and he will be 100% really soon“. Alcaraz, however, said that he was “really happy to have won Monte Carlo for the first time“. But Musetti’s injury might not have given him the closure he wanted with the win.
Well, Musetti, who came after spending 4 hours more on the court than Alcaraz, suffered a muscular issue in his right leg. And then on, the Italian never really looked the same as he started the game. A combination of errors, injury, and the Spaniard’s brilliance gave Musetti no breathing room, as Alcaraz powered past the Italian to secure his first win in Monte Carlo. After the match, Alcaraz reflected on the tough period leading up to the victory.
“It’s been a tough month for me. On and off the court. I don’t wanna say it in public, but I was struggling to step on the court. It’s been difficult to find a way to not think about everything“. Alcaraz not only struggled in the Miami Open and India-Wells Open but also had some of the most disappointing moments in the Monte Carlo Open. The Spaniard initially made almost 14 unforced errors in the 9 games he played in the first set but bounced back later to clinch the title.
What’s ahead for Carlos Alcaraz now?
After winning the Monte Carlo Open, Alcaraz will surely see a surge in his ranking as he is expected to clinch the 2nd rank behind only Jannik Sinner. Although Sinner hasn’t played a tournament since the Australian Open and is now serving a three-month anti-doping ban still is far ahead of the Spaniard with almost 2,210 points. Still, the win reflects a major step for Alcaraz. The player opened up about it.
“I think it’s been a really difficult win with a lot of difficult situations. I’m proud of myself for how I’ve dealt with everything. It’s been a really difficult one for me. Outside and on the court. Coming here and seeing the hard work pay off, I’m really happy“. The win not only shows the clay dominance Alcaraz is exhibiting, as he has raked up a record of 15-1 on the court. But also, prepares him for the next chapter.
The Spaniard is set to play next at the Barcelona Open against a qualifier and will also look to defend his Roland-Garros title when the tournament commences next month. Sinner, on the other hand, Alcaraz’s arch-rival Sinner, will also be making a comeback and will start training and will most likely be in the Italian Open.
The post “I Don’t Wanna Say in Public,” Carlos Alcaraz Reveals “Struggling” Circumstances at Play After Massive Victory at Monte Carlo Masters appeared first on EssentiallySports.