Carlos Alcaraz Secures First Win of 2025 Clay Court Season at Monte-Carlo
The world number three, Carlos Alcaraz, recently achieved his inaugural victory of the 2025 clay court season in Monte-Carlo, after securing his first indoor hard-court title earlier this year by defeating Alex de Minaur in Rotterdam.
While Alcaraz has excelled indoors, his outdoor performances this year have not met expectations, as he did not win a title at either of the Sunshine Double tournaments for the first time since 2021.
As he transitions to clay courts, Alcaraz aims to recapture the form that led him to victory at the French Open last year. In his initial clay match of the season, he triumphed over Francisco Cerundolo in the second round of the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Alcaraz Prefers Clay Courts Over Hard Courts
Alcaraz won against Cerundolo with a score of 3-6, 6-0, 6-1, marking his first match victory in Monte-Carlo, propelling him into the third round where he will face world number 84, Daniel Altmaier.
Following the match, during his on-court interview, Alcaraz shared his thoughts on clay courts and his evolving preference for the surface. “I always said until now I preferred hard courts,” he admitted, “but right now, I think I would rank clay first. I missed the clay court season, and I appreciate playing on this surface.” He emphasized his love for the Masters events held on clay, as it is the surface he grew up playing.
Alcaraz’s Performance Across Surfaces
Alcaraz has notably secured three of his nine major titles on clay, indicating its significance in his career. In terms of performance, he has an impressive win percentage of 82% on clay, while he tops out at 89% on grass, having won Wimbledon twice.
As Alcaraz continues his campaign for a fourth major clay title in Monte-Carlo, his upcoming match against Altmaier will be crucial. Should he secure this title, he could potentially seize the number two spot in the ATP rankings from Alexander Zverev, further cementing his position as a leading player in tennis.
