The clay season holds renewed significance for Carlos Alcaraz in 2025, especially after a rocky start to the year. While the 21-year-old Spaniard made headlines by winning in Rotterdam — becoming the first from his country to lift the trophy there — his performances elsewhere have fallen short of expectations for a four-time Grand Slam champion.
Despite Alexander Zverev’s inconsistent results earlier in the year, Alcaraz missed the chance to leapfrog the German in the ATP rankings. His campaign included quarterfinal finishes at the Australian Open and Doha, a semifinal exit at Indian Wells, and a disappointing second-round loss in Miami to veteran David Goffin — a match where Alcaraz looked far from his best.
A Fresh Start on Clay
Last year, Alcaraz’s clay court swing was marred by a forearm injury that forced him out of Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Rome. Even in Madrid, he wasn’t at peak form. But he bounced back just in time to conquer Roland Garros, reasserting his dominance on the red dirt.
Now, the World No. 3 is determined to make his mark in Monte Carlo — a tournament he’s only played once before, in 2022, when he suffered an early defeat to Sebastian Korda. His 2025 debut won’t be easy either; he awaits the winner of a tricky opening-round clash between 2019 champion Fabio Fognini and Francisco Cerundolo.
Training with Djokovic and New Shoe Model
Ahead of his Monte Carlo campaign, Alcaraz hit the practice courts with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, signaling his focus and readiness for what could be his sixth career Masters 1000 title.
In a notable development reported by Eurosport, Alcaraz has made a significant equipment adjustment — switching to a new shoe model better suited for clay courts. This gear change is part of a broader evolution in his setup this season. He has also recently added coach Samuel Lopez to his team and begun using a heavier racket, aimed at enhancing control and power on slower surfaces.
With these adjustments and a renewed mindset, Alcaraz is looking to dominate the clay season — and Monte Carlo is just the beginning.
