Jannik Sinner secured the Monte Carlo Masters title on 12/4, overcoming Carlos Alcaraz in a two-hour and 15-minute final. This victory not only earned Sinner a major trophy but also propelled him to the world number one ranking, a position he had not held since November 2025. This match marked their first encounter since Sinner's win in the ATP Finals in November 2025.
With this triumph, Sinner joins Novak Djokovic (2015) as the only players to win three consecutive early-season Masters 1000 titles at Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo. He also becomes the third player in history, alongside Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, to win four consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles. Nadal holds the record with 11 Monte Carlo Masters championships.
"We came here aiming to play as many matches as possible, to find our rhythm before the upcoming major tournaments. Today, both of us played at a high level," Sinner said after the final. "Returning to world number one means a great deal to me. I am very happy to win a major title on clay, something I had not achieved before."
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Sinner (left) and Alcaraz on the awards podium at Court Rainier III, Monte Carlo Country Club, Monaco on 13/4. Photo: Reuters |
Playing before a large crowd on Court Rainier III, Sinner claimed the first set in a tie-break after Alcaraz committed a double fault on set point. Despite a 51% first serve percentage, Sinner rallied from a 1-3 deficit in the second set against an Alcaraz who accumulated 45 unforced errors.
"I felt I had opportunities in return games, and the new balls helped me a lot. I tried to stay focused throughout the match," Sinner added. "I was a bit tired but kept the pressure on him."
Alcaraz acknowledged Sinner's impressive run during the award ceremony. "What you are doing is truly impressive," he told Sinner. "Only one person has ever won the 'Sunshine Double' and Monte Carlo, and now you are the second."
Previously, Sinner had not dropped a set on his path to titles at the Paris Masters, Indian Wells, and Miami, becoming the first player to achieve the "Sunshine Double" without losing a set. He is currently on a 22-match winning streak at Masters 1000 events and a 17-match winning streak across all levels. Sinner's last Masters 1000 defeat was last October in Shanghai, where he retired against Tallon Griekspoor.
Alcaraz had been on a 17-match winning streak on clay courts since last season, when he won titles in Rome and Roland Garros. The player, who holds 26 ATP titles, had previously defeated Sinner in both of those finals, including a historic Roland Garros final where he saved three championship points.
However, the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters champion could not maintain consistency against a resolute Sinner in the Principality. Despite strong windy conditions, Alcaraz started well with an early break, but Sinner quickly regained rhythm and controlled play from the baseline. The Spanish player struggled with his second serve, while Sinner handled the tie-break better to win the opening set.
Alcaraz produced one of the best shots of the week to break the opening game of the second set, but Sinner responded forcefully, winning five consecutive games to close out the match.
Sinner will now enter his 67th week as world number one, surpassing Alcaraz (66 weeks). Both players currently hold eight Masters 1000 titles.
Vy Anh
