Alcaraz Conquers Monte Carlo & Reveals Surface Preference

Carlos Alcaraz has kicked off his clay-court season in style, securing his first-ever win at the prestigious Monte Carlo Masters. Overcoming a shaky start, the Spaniard rallied to defeat Francisco Cerundolo 3-6, 6-0, 6-1 in the second round, signaling his intent to dominate on the red dirt this spring. But amidst the celebrations, Alcaraz has also made a revealing statement about his preferred playing surface.

A Rocky Start Turns Triumphant

Alcaraz’s debut at the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters wasn’t without its challenges. He struggled early against Cerundolo, admitting that he “didn’t start well” and “made a lot of mistakes.” He allowed Cerundolo to dictate the play. However, the young Spaniard demonstrated his resilience and adaptability, shifting gears dramatically after the first set.

“I just knew that I had to do something else, play more aggressively, and play my own tennis – drop shots, going to the net and more aggression,” Alcaraz explained. This tactical adjustment proved decisive. Alcaraz stormed through the second and third sets, displaying the dynamic and aggressive style that has made him a global sensation. [12]

His improved return game was particularly notable, with a 44% increase in first-serve returns landed after the first set. This allowed him to put Cerundolo under constant pressure and seize control of the match. [12]

“I Miss Clay”: Alcaraz Embraces the Dirt

Prior to his Monte Carlo debut, Alcaraz confessed, “I miss clay,” showcasing his eagerness to return to the surface where he has enjoyed considerable success. [11] This enthusiasm was evident in his performance against Cerundolo, as he rediscovered his rhythm and showcased his clay-court prowess.

Alcaraz’s record on clay speaks for itself. He has won 13 of his last 14 clay-court matches, with his only loss during that span being against Novak Djokovic in the Paris Olympic gold-medal match played at Roland Garros last summer. [11] He will face Daniel Altmaier for a quarterfinal spot. [11]

Hard Court Revelation

Despite his affection for clay and his impressive results on the surface, Alcaraz has previously stated that his favorite surface is now hard court. [3] He made the revelation after his round of sixteen victory against Matteo Arnaldi at the US Open in 2023. [3] This may come as a surprise to some. [3] Alcaraz’s all-court game and aggressive style seem well-suited to the fast-paced nature of hard courts.

Alcaraz grew up on clay courts but made it a point to practice a lot on hard courts as well. He recognized that most of the important tournaments are played on hard courts during the tennis season. [15]

Injury Concerns and 2025 Season

Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been marked by both success and challenges. He started the year strongly, reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and winning his first indoor hardcourt title at the Rotterdam Open. [2] However, injuries have also plagued him, forcing him to withdraw from several tournaments, including the Italian Open. [4, 7]

Throughout 2024, Alcaraz dealt with a right forearm injury. This prompted his withdrawal from tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. [4] He also had an ankle injury in Rio de Janeiro. [5] Concerns about his fitness have lingered, with some predicting potential struggles in the upcoming season. [6]

Despite these setbacks, Alcaraz remains determined to compete at the highest level. His schedule for 2025 is packed with major tournaments, including the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros, Queen’s, Wimbledon, Toronto, Cincinnati, the US Open, Shanghai, and Paris. [18] He is also expected to participate in the year-end Masters, the Monte Carlo Masters, the Laver Cup, and a potential Davis Cup play-off match. [18]

Analyzing Alcaraz’s Surface Strengths

Tennis experts and fans have long debated Alcaraz’s best surface. While he has achieved significant success on all three major court types – clay, hard, and grass – each surface presents unique advantages and challenges for his game.

Clay: A Foundation for Success

Clay is where Alcaraz developed his game, honing his movement skills, developing his patience, and constructing points. The slower pace of clay courts allows him more time to track down balls and utilize his defensive abilities. His high win percentages against top players on clay demonstrate his comfort and confidence on the surface. [15]

However, some argue that Alcaraz’s clay-court game is still a work in progress. Unlike Rafael Nadal, who has dominated the surface for over a decade, Alcaraz has yet to achieve the same level of dominance. His only clay Masters title came in Madrid. [19]

Hard Courts: Embracing Aggression

Alcaraz has stated that hard court is now his favorite surface. Hard courts reward aggressive, all-court tennis. Alcaraz excels at moving forward. His net game is impeccable. [15]

He has already won two different hard court Masters 1000 titles (Indian Wells and Miami) and reached the final of a third (Cincinnati). [19]

Grass: A Budding Romance

Alcaraz’s success on grass has been relatively recent, but it has been nothing short of spectacular. In 2023, he won his first Wimbledon title, defeating Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set final. [15]

Some analysts argue that Alcaraz’s grass-court success is due to the shallow competition on the surface. They say that he is poised to reign supreme in grass-court tournaments for years to come. [19]

The Road Ahead

Carlos Alcaraz’s first Monte Carlo win marks an important milestone in his 2025 season. As he continues his clay-court campaign, he will be looking to build momentum and solidify his position as one of the top contenders for the French Open title.

Whether his favorite surface is hard, clay, or grass, one thing is certain: Carlos Alcaraz is a force to be reckoned with on any court. His talent, versatility, and competitive spirit make him one of the most exciting players in the world today.