Everyone expects great results from Carlos Alcaraz in this segment of the season, where the Spanish ace has the opportunity to play his best tennis and collect many points after disappointing expectations in recent tournaments. The former world No.1 had struggled a lot in the run-up to Roland Garros last year, including due to a nagging forearm injury that forced him to miss three tournaments on red clay (Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome).
The 21-year-old from Murcia was back to the top of his shape in time for the French Open, where he triumphed thanks to an amazing run embellished by victories over Jannik Sinner in the semifinals and Alexander Zverev in the final.
It's no secret that the pressure has affected Carlitos' performance over the past couple of months, as he has a chance to get closer to his top rival Sinner in the ATP ranking thanks to the latter's three-month suspension.
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The world No.3 did not go beyond the quarterfinals in Doha, the semifinals in Indian Wells and the second round in Miami, where he delivered a very disappointing performance against Belgian veteran David Goffin before going on vacation with his family for a few days to recharge his batteries.
Runespeaks about Alcaraz
Speaking to the media ahead of his debut in Monte Carlo, young Danish ace Holger Rune confided that Alcaraz is definitely the player to beat on this surface: I think the toughest one on clay might be Alcaraz.
Lets see how his form is beginning of the clay season but hes a guy when he hits his best level hes possibly the best in the world. He can definitely bring a big challenge.
The last years he was injured so he hasnt gotten the experience like other players here but Im sure he will eventually.
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Rune - who reached the final in the Principality two years ago - will make his debut in the 2025 edition against Portuguese player Nuno Borges.
