Overview

• Carlos Alcaraz admitted that the pressure to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking during Jannik Sinner's suspension has negatively affected his mindset and performance.
• Despite winning the Rotterdam title earlier this season, Alcaraz has struggled with early exits in Doha, Indian Wells, and Miami, widening his ranking deficit behind Sinner to over 3,500 points.
• Sinner, currently serving a three-month doping ban for testing positive for clostebol, is set to return in May, maintaining a significant lead in the rankings due to prior strong performances.
• Alcaraz, who has yet to win a match at the Monte Carlo Masters, emphasized that he is not focusing on the top ranking but instead on improving his play during the clay season.
• The Spaniard will begin his Monte Carlo campaign with a second-round match against either Francisco Cerundolo or Fabio Fognini as he looks to regain momentum ahead of the French Open.