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Carlos Alcaraz has candidly acknowledged that the burden of expectation has been heavy on his shoulders since rival Jannik Sinner was handed a three-month suspension from tennis due to a doping violation. That pressure, he admits, may have delayed his climb to the summit of the ATP Race standings.
After his commanding performance in the Monte Carlo Masters, Alcaraz not only reinstated himself on No. 2 in ATP Rankings but also overtook Sinner in the ATP Race for 2025. The Race only considers the performances of the players during this current calendar year while having the much-celebrated ATP Finals qualifications.
Surprisingly, until this past Sunday, Sinner led the ATP Race irrespective of having played just one tournament of the season-his triumphant run at the Australian Open, giving him 2,000 points.
Sinner’s Suspension and Alcaraz’s Response
While Sinner’s Melbourne triumph had given him a considerable lead, Alcaraz has now overtaken the Italian with 2,410 points following his Monte Carlo victory. The young Spaniard admitted that the circumstances surrounding Sinner’s absence have weighed heavily on him.
“Since Jannik hasn’t been able to play tournaments, a lot of people have asked me about it and talked about it, about how important a time it is for me to reach No 1 again or to win tournaments,” Alcaraz explained.
“Probably, in a way, I’ve been thinking about it too much instead of playing good tennis and enjoying myself on the court and in the matches. After Miami, I realized the path I have to follow and the things I have to do. I don’t have to think about the results or anything else, I just have to have fun.”
Finding His Groove on Clay
Reflecting on his Monte Carlo performance, Alcaraz emphasized the importance of enjoying the sport and focusing on the process rather than the results.
“That’s the most important thing for me, and not paying attention to expectations or what people say about you. That’s what I’m trying to do, and I think it’s going well for me so far. Today was the best match I’ve played so far in this tournament. I didn’t let him get in, dominate, and come back. I showed my good tennis throughout the match.”
“I’m happy to have reached this level, but I think I can do better. At the beginning of the week, with the first clay-court tournament, you focus on adapting to the conditions. The ball comes to you differently, the game on clay is different. Once I’ve reached this level, I have to keep improving and, if possible, raise it.”
Looking Ahead: Barcelona and Beyond
Alcaraz will have another opportunity to bolster his ATP Ranking this week as he competes at the ATP 500 Barcelona Open in front of his home crowd. However, despite his recent surge, he remains more than 2,000 points behind Sinner in the official ATP Rankings due to the rolling 52-week format.
Sinner, who missed last year’s Rome Masters with injury, will have a chance to add fresh points during his comeback next month, potentially increasing his lead.
Current ATP Race Standings After Monte Carlo Masters
1. Carlos Alcaraz – 2,410
2. Jannik Sinner – 2,000
3. Alexander Zverev – 1,725
4. Jack Draper – 1,640
5. Novak Djokovic – 1,520
6. Alex de Minaur – 1,485
7. Jakub Mensik – 1,330
8. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina – 1,210
9. Felix Auger-Aliassime – 1,205
10. Ben Shelton – 1,170
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