Carlos Alcaraz highlights the difference in conditions in Monte Carlo and Barcelona after maintaining unbeaten run on clay

Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz had a hard-fought victory over Ethan Quinn during his opening round match at the Barcelona Open.

Carlos Alcaraz highlights the difference in conditions in Monte Carlo and Barcelona after maintaining unbeaten run on clay

Carlos Alcaraz (via Instagram/ Carlos Alcaraz)

Two days after clinching his maiden Monte Carlo Masters title, Carlos Alcaraz began playing in his next tournament of the season, i.e., the Barcelona Open. Alcaraz has been a champion twice at this home soil ATP 500 tournament. In 2022, he defeated compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta in the finals. Alcaraz defended his title the next year, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the finals. Alcaraz unfortunately had to withdraw from the 2024 edition due to an arm injury.

Alcaraz kicked off his 2025 Barcelona Open campaign with a hard-fought victory over Ethan Quinn. While Alcaraz dominated the first set, the second set proved to be a much tougher battle. The Spaniard had to save a set point on return at 5-6 down in the tiebreak of the second set but then recovered to reel off two more points to get the job done and seal the victory 6-2, 7(8)-6(6).

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Although Alcaraz loves the clay surface a lot, a fact he has been reiterating since the start of the clay season, he also admits that he has not played at his best level during the clay season so far. After his opening round match, The World No. 2 talked about the challenge of adapting to different conditions in such a short time. 

Carlos Alcaraz will play qualifier Laslo Djere in the next round

Carlos Alcaraz will play qualifier Laslo Djere in the next round of the Barcelona Open. This will mark their second meeting on court, with Alcaraz having won their first meeting in three sets at Buenos Aires in 2023. The Serbian defeated Daniel Rincon and Arthur Rinderknech in the prior rounds of the tournament. 

Carlos Alcaraz Barcelona Open
Carlos Alcaraz has won the Barcelona Open twice (images via ATP)

In Barcelona, there are a number of serious contenders this year. Besides Alcaraz, there are plenty of hopefuls, such as defending champion Casper Ruud, four-time finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Alex de Minaur, and Holger Rune.

Carlos Alcaraz clinched his 9th clay court title at the Monte Carlo Masters

Carlos Alcaraz recently clinched his 9th clay court title. He boasts a total of 18 singles titles now. He won his maiden ATP singles title on clay at the 2021 Umag Open. Apart from the Monte Carlo title, he has two more clay court Masters titles, which he clinched at Madrid in 2022 and 2023. 

Carlos Alcaraz Monte Carlo Masters 2025
Carlos Alcaraz (via Instagram/ATP)

The 21-year-old entered the clay season this year after an inconsistent Sunshine Swing. As the two-time defending champion, Alcaraz lost to Jack Draper in the Indian Wells semifinals. He then went on to face a shocking opening round exit at the Miami Open.

At the Monte Carlo Masters, he faced tough competition throughout his run but eventually defeated Lorenzo Musetti from a set down in the finals. Now with the victory at Monte Carlo, Alcaraz has regained his form and his confidence to a great extent as he prepares to eventually defend his Roland Garros title towards the end of the clay season.