Holger Rune picks Carlos Alcaraz as “possibly the best player in the world” on clay court
Carlos Alcaraz has won eight clay titles, including the 2024 French Open, out of his seventeen tour-level career titles.
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Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz (via X/ATP/Carlos Alcaraz Daily)
Carlos Alcaraz remains the favorite to win his ninth ATP clay title at the Monte Carlo despite his recent form. The Spaniard hasn’t been in form of late and has won just one clay title in the last 12 months. However, World No.12 Holger Rune believes that the 21-year-old is the best player in the world on that surface.
Alcaraz has been heavily criticized for his disappointing form this season. The World No.3 failed to perform as expected in the Sunshine Double after exiting in the semi-finals of Indian Wells and then the first round of the Miami Open. However, the same yardstick can’t be used against the Spaniard on clay.
Out of his Seventeen career titles, eight have been on clay. In fact, his last clay title was at the French Open, where he defeated Alexander Zverev in five sets last year. He’s set to play at the Monte Carlo Masters, which began on Sunday, April 6. The 21-year-old is the favorite to clinch the title.
During Rune’s interview at the Monte Carlo Masters, he was asked which play was the toughest to play on clay. The Danish star revealed that Alcaraz was undoubtedly the best player in the world on that surface.
I think the toughest one [on clay] might be Alcaraz. Let’s see how his form is at the beginning of the clay season, but he’s a guy. When he hits his best level, he’s possibly the best in the world. He can bring a big challenge. The last year he was injured, so he hasn’t gotten the experience like other players here, but I’m sure he will eventually.
Holger Rune said via Monte Carlo Press
Rune is the tenth seed at the tournament and is seeking his fifth ATP title. At Indian Wells, he finished as runners-up to Jack Draper and will be hoping to take the form to the Monte Carlo, where he faces Nuno Borges in the first round.
Carlos Alcaraz says he has a strange feeling towards the Monte Carlo Masters
If there’s any tournament in which Carlos Alcaraz lacks experience, it’s definitely the Monte Carlo Masters. The Spaniard has played only once there, and that came back in 2022, where he defeated Sebastian Korda in three sets but crashed out in the second round. He didn’t feature in 2023 and 2024. He revealed during his press conference that he has a strange feeling towards the tournament.
Here the feeling is strange because I have never managed to achieve even a single victory, it’s as if there was something in the tournament that didn’t play in my favor, although the truth is the numbers show that I have only participated once, when I lost. I am happy to be here, this time injury-free, to try to play as well as possible, hoping for a great result. The sensations in training have been positive, so we’ll see.
Carlos Alcaraz said via Monte Carlo Masters Press
Alcaraz will open his Monte Carlo Masters campaign in the second round after earning a first-round bye. The Spaniard will face the winner between Fabio Fogini and Francisco Cerundolo for a place in the third round.
Carlos Alcaraz says he’s no more obsessed with being World No.1
Carlos Alcaraz has seen his hopes of getting back to being World No.1 faze away before the return of Jannik Sinner from suspension. The Spaniard realistically has to win the next four tournaments this month to surpass Sinner. That means he must win Monte Carlo, Madrid, Barcelona and BMW Open to topple Sinner, which is totally impossible. He said he’s no more obsessed about getting the position.
I’m not obsessed with being the best in the world. I was number one a few years ago, and I was happy. Now I’m number three, and I’m just as happy.
Carlos Alcaraz GQ Spain
If Alcaraz wins all the aforementioned tournaments, he will gain 3,000 points. However, he needs 3,610 points to surpass Sinner in World No.1.
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