Carlos Alcaraz’s chances of defending his title at the Monte Carlo Masters may have been improved by his loss at the Miami Open.
Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat to Sebastian Korda in Miami, in just his second defeat of the 2026 season.
Following his relatively disappointing Sunshine Double, some concerns have started to be raised about Alcaraz, with Jannik Sinner now closing in on his number one ranking.
However, Alcaraz has already proven that his chances of winning the Monte Carlo Masters are now higher after suffering an early exit in Miami.
Carlos Alcaraz performed well at the Monte Carlo Masters last year when he lost early in Miami
Alcaraz will be making just his third appearance at the Monte Carlo Masters this year, having missed the tournament in 2023 and 2024 due to injury.
The Spaniard made his debut at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2022, which came in Alcaraz’s first tournament after winning his first ATP 1000 title in Miami.
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Alcaraz lost his only match at the Monte Carlo Masters that year to Korda, the same man who just beat him in Miami, in a disappointing tournament debut.
It was three years until Alcaraz returned to the Monte Carlo Masters in 2025, having suffered a shock early exit at the Miami Open, where he lost his only match to David Goffin.
Alcaraz put this defeat to Goffin straight behind him, going on to win the Monte Carlo Masters after beating Lorenzo Musetti in the final.
| Year | Alcaraz’s result at the Miami Open | Alcaraz’s result at the Monte Carlo Masters |
| 2022 | Won the title | Lost in the second round |
| 2025 | Lost in the second round | Won the title |
While it could clearly be argued that Alcaraz was a better player in 2025 compared to 2022, it is also no coincidence that he has either performed well at the Miami Open or the Monte Carlo Masters.
This should be encouraging for Alcaraz, as he knows that he may have to win the Monte Carlo title again to keep his world number one ranking from Sinner.
Carlos Alcaraz’s chances in Monte Carlo have also been boosted by withdrawals
Not only have Alcaraz’s chances at the Monte Carlo Masters been boosted by his early exit at the Miami Open, but also one withdrawal in particular.
A number of players including Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper have withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters this year, but it is actually a lower ranked player pulling out of the tournament that is a bigger boost to Alcaraz.
As previously mentioned, Alcaraz’s only loss at the Monte Carlo Masters has come against Korda, the same player who has just beaten him in Miami.
However, Korda has now withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters, with the American seemingly struggling with a back injury that hampered him in his next match at the Miami Open.
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Alcaraz will therefore not need to worry about Korda, and should have a good chance of reaching at least the final of the Monte Carlo Masters once again.
The main draw of the 2026 Monte Carlo Masters will get underway on Sunday, April 5.
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