‘I was surprised’ – Alcaraz on Moetsalibe’s decision after the ‘Sunshine Double’ victory

The Spaniard is the defending champion after winning the title last year, but now he has to fight the inactive Sinner, and the two have already established themselves as the dominant team in the game, with a long tournament predicted.

Alcaraz expected the Italian to take a break after that success, as it came early in the season.

The Monte Carlo tournament is a Masters 1000 event, but it is the only one that is not mandatory for players, so it presents itself as an opportunity to relax before other major events to come.

Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul have both made that decision, but Alcaraz thinks the Sinner wants to keep his good form, and is ready to meet him.

“Honestly, I was surprised that Jannik, after the tour of Indian Wells and Miami, came to play in Monte Carlo. But it is clear that this shows what he is capable of doing now,” Alcaraz told Sky Sports.

“Hopefully, we can play here in Monte Carlo. Who knows? This year, we haven’t played at the same time. Hopefully, it happens on clay.

A win for Moetsalibe in the main event would also give the 24-year-old status regardless of how Alcaraz performs. There are other ways for him to take the top spot, too. A semi-final would be tied if Alcaraz didn’t make it to the quarterfinals, and a loss in the final would be tied if Alcaraz failed to reach the last two.

Both players have byes in the second round. The Sinner meets Ugo Humbert, and Alcaraz will face the winner of Stan Wawrinka against Sebastian Baez. When two players are on opposite sides of the draw, the only chance they will meet will be if they reach the finish line.

Highlights: Moetsalibe defeats Medvedev to win Indian Wells title

Video credit: SNTV

Despite coming into Monaco as the defending champion, Alcaraz said his aim is to make the most of this year’s event, and return to clay, rather than retaining the title above all else.

“I miss it a lot to be honest. I’m going to try to enjoy it as much as I can, this tournament is great. It’s great.

“Being here as the defending champion, it’s something I don’t think about to be honest. I’m just trying to be in good shape. [mindset] and try to get better after each practice and see how it goes.

Last season, Alcaraz began with a shake-up on the clay court after back-to-back defeats, first to Jack Draper in Indian Wells and then to David Goffin in Miami, but his run of victories in Monte Carlo kicked off a streak of 33 wins in 34 matches.

“This week was really important. I would say that was the turning point for 2025,” Alcaraz said.

“After the feeling that I got here, I got better and better. I understood and realized how to play after this week.

“That’s why I made a special year after this. I remember that I didn’t play well, but everything that came after that, it was an amazing time for me.

“I started playing tennis on clay courts. I grew up on clay courts. I started playing at the age of four and [didn’t] I touched hard court until I was eight years old, and I only touched it, so I was always on clay courts.

“That’s why I had the idea to play on clay and when the clay is over you have to wait about a year to play again. So it’s a very long time for me.”