John Isner expects big things from Carlos Alcaraz over the next several months.
The Spaniard enjoyed a welcome return to form by winning the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time.
In Sunday’s final the Spaniard rebounded from losing the first set to Lorenzo Musetti to storm through sets two and three for the loss of just one game.
Alcaraz claimed his second title of 2025 and he started the clay court season in great fashion, and John Isner is very impressed.
John Isner thinks Carlos Alcaraz can achieve special things over the next few months
Carlos Alcaraz is relishing the chance to compete on clay again following a curtailed 2024 campaign.
The 21-year-old played just eight matches on clay prior to winning last year’s French Open, the third of his four Grand Slam titles.
After watching Alcaraz’s success, John Isner the World number two has his swagger back, and he expects him to achieve more success over the remainder of the clay court season.
“I think he is on the verge of something pretty special this clay court season,” the American said on the latest edition of the Nothing Major podcast.
“He is going to be playing Barcelona this week and of course Madrid and Rome, I can see him winning two of those three events potentially and having all sorts of momentum going into the French Open to defend his title there.
“I would put him right now as the pretty overwhelming favourite to win the French Open. We will see what Sinner looks like in Rome but I do think it was much needed and he showed really a lot of fortitude out there in losing the first sets and steamrolling his opponents in the second and third set.
“When he was hitting top gear in Monte Carlo it was good night, it was over. There was nothing anybody could do. It was really impressive to see that.
“It is easy to forget he is only 21 years old, it feels like he is 24 or 25 and his best tennis is still four years ahead of him. I think he is on to something special this clay court season and we will see how it unfolds.”
Carlos Alcaraz aiming for more success at the Barcelona Open
Alcaraz has little time to celebrate his Monte Carlo success as he is back in action at the Barcelona Open.
48 hours after winning in Monaco, Alcaraz will return to home soil to enter the ATP 500 event.
Alcaraz is searching for his third title in the Spanish city after claiming the crown in 2022 and 2023.
He missed the 2024 event due to an arm injury, and therefore Alcaraz will aim to continue his 10-match win streak in Barcelona.
The former champion will commence his upcoming campaign against America’s Ethan Quinn and he will certainly receive a warm welcome from his home fans.
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