The dominant Italian secured double glory with the Monte-Carlo trophy and a return to the world No.1 ranking.
The ‘Sincaraz’ rivalry took another fascinating turn at the Monte-Carlo Masters in battle number XVII for modern day greats Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
On the WTA side, a Top 10 talent took the top honours in Linz as the event was being staged on clay for the first time.
Time to catch up on the Road to Roland-Garros 2026…
Sinner posted on social media on Sunday night “it’s like a dream.” It was certainly a dream week for the 24-year-old in the Principality.
It all built to a captivating crescendo, with Sinner and Alcaraz across the net for their first meeting since November, when the Italian triumphed on home soil in the ATP Finals title bout.
Until the generational talents walked onto Court Rainier III, Alcaraz led their riveting rivalry at 10-6 and had won his past 17 clay-court matches, which dated back to Rome Masters and Roland-Garros finals glory over Sinner.
Could seven-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz retain his Monte-Carlo crown?
Well, Sinner arrived in the final on a 21-match Masters 1000 winning streak, following title runs in Paris (2025), Indian Wells and Miami, without dropping a set in all three banner events.
The stakes were as high as possible, with Masters silverware and the world No.1 ranking on offer for the champion.
The swirling wind provided challenging conditions, yet ‘Sincaraz’ still managed to put on quite the show. The absorbing clash seemed destined for a decider at 3-1 second set in the Spaniard’s favour. Then Sinner elevated his game – connecting with a catalogue of piercing shots and demonstrating his supreme anticipation to stay one step of his rival to rattle through the final five games for a 7-6(5), 6-3 scoreboard.
"It has been an interesting week trying to learn how to play again on clay," said a modest Sinner, shortly after his 27th ATP title victory and opening event on clay this year.
"We came here trying to get as many matches as possible, getting good feedback before other big tournaments coming up. Was a high level from both of us… The result is amazing. Getting back to No.1 means a lot for me. I am very happy to win a big title on this surface. I haven't done it before and it means a lot to me."
As a result of Sinner’s superiority in Monte-Carlo, the 24-year-old replaces Alcaraz as world No.1 on Monday for the first time since November.
Over to Alcaraz to rubber-stamp Sinner’s heroics.
"It is impressive what you are achieving right now," said the ever-gracious Alcaraz towards Sinner during the trophy ceremony. "Just one man had won the 'Sunshine Double' and Monte-Carlo and you are now the second. It is something incredible and I just experienced how difficult it is. Congratulations for everything and the work you are doing with your team."
Alcaraz was referring to Novak Djokovic’s sweep of the first three Masters 1000 titles in 2015 – the Serbian and Sinner are the only duo to achieve the feat! On top of that, Sinner, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are the only men to capture four Masters 1000 titles in succession.
The stats, the numbers just continue to bamboozle. Sinner has now lifted seven of the nine titles in the Masters 1000 series. On the flip side, the newly crowned world No.1 has only just scooped a second clay title after overcoming Alcaraz in the 2022 Umag final. Sinner’s clay court credentials and title tally are surely set to soar!
On the other hand, remember Roland-Garros is Alcaraz’s prize to keep hold of this June.
“Carlos, congrats to you and your team. You’re doing amazing things year after year. You keep showing why you are the player you are. Achieving things that nobody else achieved before with your age,” declared Sinner in Monte-Carlo. “Facing you especially in finals in the end of the tournaments makes it even more special.”
Top seed Mirra Andreeva added to her Adelaide trophy lift with a second title of 2026 in Linz.
The world No.9, a Roland-Garros 2024 semi-finalist, turned the tables on home charge Anastasia Potapova 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in Sunday’s final.
"You really pushed me to my limits. I was struggling a lot on how to find a solution to play against you today. You’re an amazing fighter and an even better person." said Andreeva during her victory speech, before continuing her ‘tradition’ to pay tribute to herself in ceremonies.
“I want to thank myself today again for fighting until the end. For trying to find solutions. For never stopping and believing until the end that maybe somehow I can turn it around. I think it paid off today as well. Last thanks goes to myself.”
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
