Dethroning Jannik Sinner Becomes Carlos Alcaraz’s Biggest Weakness as He Makes a Blunt Admission
Carlos Alcaraz Admits Pressure of Replacing Jannik Sinner Took a Toll: “I Was Thinking Too Much”
Earlier this year, Jannik Sinner’s unexpected three-month suspension rocked the tennis world. The top-ranked Italian, fresh off a Grand Slam win at the Australian Open, was sidelined due to two positive drug tests—leaving the ATP field wide open until May 4.
With Sinner out, attention naturally shifted to Carlos Alcaraz. At just 21 years old, the Spaniard has already secured four Grand Slam titles. Now into the Monte Carlo Masters final, Alcaraz has spoken candidly about the burden of expectation that came with Sinner’s absence—and how it nearly derailed his form.
In a gritty semifinal against fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Alcaraz pulled through with a 7-6(2), 6-4 win. It was a tense battle—he blew three set points in the opener and needed six match points to finally close the deal. With that victory, he reached his 23rd tour-level final and moved ahead of Sinner in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin.
But beyond the numbers, Alcaraz offered a rare moment of vulnerability. “Since Jannik couldn’t play, a lot of people kept telling me how important this moment is—about reaching No.1 again, winning more tournaments,” Alcaraz shared. “I was thinking so much about it that I forgot to enjoy myself out there.”
After a disappointing early exit in Miami last month, the Spaniard had an epiphany. “That loss helped me realize what matters most isn’t results, but enjoying the game. That’s what I’m focusing on—my family, my team, and staying grounded.”
Alcaraz had started the year brightly, nearly defeating Novak Djokovic in a blockbuster Australian Open quarterfinal and clinching his first indoor title at ATP Rotterdam. But the momentum waned. He fell in the Qatar Open quarters to Jiri Lehecka and was stunned in the Miami Open Round of 64 by David Goffin—an upset that sent shockwaves through the tennis community.
Now, reaching the Monte Carlo final feels like a turning point. “Sometimes people aren’t patient—they want me in every final,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. “I just had to believe this moment would come again.”
Next up: a red-clay final showdown with Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti. The two last met in Miami in 2024, where Alcaraz won convincingly. Will history repeat itself?
