Toni Nadal Highlights Carlos Alcaraz’s Flaws Following Defeat to Jannik Sinner in Monte Carlo

Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from the Barcelona Open after sustaining an injury in his wrist.

Toni Nadal Highlights Carlos Alcaraz’s Flaws Following Defeat to Jannik Sinner in Monte Carlo

Carlos Alcaraz, Toni Nadal, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, Olly Tennis, Jannik Sinner HQ)

In Short
  • Toni Nadal criticized Carlos Alcaraz for playing into Jannik Sinner's strengths during the Monte Carlo Masters final.
  • Alcaraz's high number of unforced errors contributed to his straight-set defeat against Sinner.
  • A wrist injury forced Alcaraz to withdraw from the Barcelona Open, impacting his chance to reclaim the World No.1 ranking.

Legendary coach Toni Nadal has pointed out that Carlos Alcaraz played into the hands of Jannik Sinner at the Monte Carlo Masters final. Alcaraz surprisingly fell to Sinner in straight sets, despite many expecting the tie to be a nervy three-set clash in Monaco. It was their first tour-level clash this season.

Alcaraz was the strong favorite at the Monte Carlo Masters because of his brilliant clay dominance last season. The Spaniard held a 20-1 record at the surface last year, reaching four finals on the red dirt. His only defeat came against Holger Rune at the Barcelona Open in straight sets, having sustained an injury.

But the same could hardly be said about Sinner, who had last won a clay title in 2022 at the Umag Open. Also, he’s known to play his best game on the hard court and has admitted on a number of occasions that he’s yet to play his best tennis on the red dirt. So, going into the Monte Carlo Masters final, Alcaraz was the favorite to win the championship.

However, Sinner was in a better run of form than Alcaraz in the lead-up to the final. The World No.1 had won 12 consecutive matches and completed the Sunshine Double, becoming the first men’s player to do so since Roger Federer in 2017. He used the momentum of that form to knock aside Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-3 in Monaco.

Alcaraz racked up over 80 unforced errors, something he had never done in a final in more than two years. Sinner capitalized on the 22-year-old mistakes and earned the win without much sweat. Speaking on Radioestadio Noche on Spanish radio channel Onda Cero, Nadal revealed that Alcaraz made it easy for Sinner to beat him:

It was a bad result for Alcaraz because Monte Carlo is the closest thing to Roland Garros. I think Alcaraz played at a pace that favoured Sinner… the gap between them is very small. I think Sinner is controlling his emotions better. This result may raise some doubts for Alcaraz. Those conversations Alcaraz has with his bench are more due to nerves and frustration.

Sinner was more consistent than Alcaraz for more than 48 hours after the defeat. Alcaraz took to the court at the Barcelona Open. He faced Finnish star Otto Virtanen in the second round and claimed the win in straight sets. However, in the first set, he twisted his arm while trying to win a point, after which he called for a medical timeout. On Wednesday (April 15), he withdrew from the ATP 500 tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz takes a step back in the battle with Jannik Sinner for World No.1

Carlos Alcaraz was seeking to return to the top of the ATP rankings after losing the spot following his loss to Jannik Sinner at the Monte Carlo Masters final. The Spaniard was to defend just 330 points at the Barcelona Open, and with just 110 points gap between him and Sinner, he could cover it and become World No.1 by winning the Barcelona Open.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, The Independent)

Unfortunately, a wrist injury forced the 22-year-old to withdraw from the Barcelona, squandering a significant opportunity in the fight for the top spot. Sinner currently holds 13,350 points in World No.1, and Alcaraz now has 12,910 points, which is a 440-point gap. That means Alcaraz dropped 280 points for pulling out of the Barcelona Open.

However, the challenge to remain at the top of the men’s rankings is still wide open. Sinner has hinted that he may not play at the Madrid Open next week. Alcaraz has not given any clear information about that, but there are reports that he might pull out of the tournament if he’s not fully recovered from the event.

Sinner and Alcaraz have no points to defend at the Madrid Open, giving them the freedom to decide whether to play. But Alcaraz might consider playing at the event as that will ease the pressure on him. Also, he has a chance to become World No.1 if he reaches the semi-finals of the event and Sinner does not play.

Also Read: Andy Roddick Highlights ‘Absurd’ Thing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are Doing that Even Pete Sampras Could Not: “It’s Just a Joke”