Carlos Alcaraz could overtake Novak Djokovic in the record books at the Monte Carlo Masters this week.
Alcaraz made tennis history at the Australian Open earlier this year, where he became the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam after beating Djokovic in the final.
The world number one had a relatively disappointing Sunshine Double, particularly in Miami where Alcaraz was beaten by Sebastian Korda in the third round.
However, Alcaraz has now returned to winning ways at the Monte Carlo Masters, and he is now four wins away from overtaking Djokovic in the record books.
Carlos Alcaraz is four wins away from overtaking Novak Djokovic in the record books
Alcaraz beat Sebastian Baez 6-1, 6-3 in the first match of his Monte Carlo Masters title defence.
This was Alcaraz’s 28th match win at a Masters 1000 tournament on clay, which he has achieved at just 22 years old.
Will Carlos Alcaraz bounce back by winning the Monte Carlo Masters?
If not, who will win the title?
Only five ATP players in history have won more Masters 1000 matches on clay before turning 23, including Djokovic.
Djokovic won 31 matches at clay court Masters 1000 tournaments before his 23rd birthday, which included winning the 2008 Italian Open.
Alcaraz is not 23 until May 5, 2026, which is after the conclusion of this year’s Madrid Open.
This means that Alcaraz will overtake Djokovic if he wins the Monte Carlo Masters title again, but he could also do it if he wins a combined four matches across his next two ATP 1000 tournaments.
Alcaraz’s achievement is even more impressive by the fact that he has missed four clay court Masters 1000 tournaments since 2023.
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How many clay court Masters 1000 wins did Rafael Nadal have before turning 23?
Alcaraz equalled Alexander Zverev with his 28th clay court win at the Monte Carlo Masters, and he now only sits behind the likes of Andrei Medvedev (39), Albert Costa (32) and Guillermo Coria (29) in terms of clay court Masters 1000 wins before turning 23.
However, the standout at the top of this chart is Rafael Nadal, often referred to as the King of Clay, who won a huge 62 matches at clay court Masters 1000 matches before his 23rd birthday.
This saw Nadal win 10 Masters 1000 titles on his favorite surface, six ahead of Alcaraz’s current total of four clay court ATP 1000 titles.
| ATP Players with the most clay court Masters 1000 wins before turning 23 | Number of wins |
| Rafael Nadal | 62 |
| Andrei Medvedev | 39 |
| Albert Costa | 32 |
| Novak Djokovic | 31 |
| Guillermo Coria | 29 |
| Alexander Zverev | 28 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 28* |
While Alcaraz will not be able to overtake Nadal’s record, he could put himself in third in the history books if he wins a combined five matches in Monte Carlo and Madrid.
Not only is he hoping to defend his title in Monte Carlo, but Alcaraz is also trying to keep his number one ranking from Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz will play either Tomas Martin Etcheverry or Terence Atmane in his next match at the Monte Carlo Masters.
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