Italian joined Djokovic (2015) as the only men who have claimed the first three ATP Masters 1000 titles of the season

Jannik Sinner captured his first clay-court ATP Masters 1000 trophy on Sunday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, where he overcame great rival Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-3 in windy conditions.

The blockbuster clash was the pair’s first meeting since November, when Sinner triumphed in the Nitto ATP Finals title match. This time, the stakes were once again high: the Monte-Carlo crown and World No. 1 were both on the line.

With his two-hour, 15-minute victory, the Italian became just the second player, alongside Novak Djokovic in 2015, to win Miami and Monte-Carlo back to back. The 24-year-old will also return to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday for the first time this year.

"We came here trying to get as many matches as possible, getting good feedback before other big tournaments coming up. Today was a high level from both of us," Sinner said in his on-court interview. "It was a bit windy, a bit breezy. Different conditions from what the tournament has brought. 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."

With large sways of support backing Sinner on Court Rainier III, the Italian claimed the first set in the tie-break when Alcaraz struck a costly double fault set point down. The 24-year-old Sinner, who only made a season-low 51 per cent of his first serves, then rallied from 1-3 in the second set against an erratic Alcaraz, who committed 45 unforced errors in the conditions.

"I felt close on the return games and felt the new balls helped me, the ball change was at 2-1, and I just tried to stay there mentally," Sinner added on his second-set comeback. "I tried to keep pushing. I felt a bit tired, so I tried to keep the right mentality, so having this trophy means a lot to me."

Sinner is just the third player in history to win four consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles, joining Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who is a record 11-time winner in Monte-Carlo.

"It is impressive what you are achieving right now," Alcaraz said to 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."

Sinner did not drop a set en route to Masters 1000 crowns in Paris, Indian Wells and Miami, becoming the first man to clinch the ‘Sunshine Double’ (Indian Wells, Miami) without losing a set. The second seed has won his past 17 matches, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index and is on a 22-match win-streak at Masters 1000 events. Sinner lost just one set in Monte-Carlo to Tomas Machac, ending his historic 37-set streak at Masters 1000 level. The last time Sinner lost a match at this level was in Shanghai in October, when he retired against Tallon Griekspoor.

Alcaraz had won his past 17 clay-court matches, dating back to last season when he triumphed in Rome and at Roland Garros. The 26-time tour-level titlist beat Sinner in both of those finals, saving three championship points against the Italian in an historic clash in Paris.

However, the Spaniard, who won Monte-Carlo in 2025, was unable to find enough consistency against a dependable Sinner in the Principality, with the Italian improving to 2-3 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series on clay and 7-10 overall.

In blustery conditions on Court Rainier III, a star-studded crowd, including Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Stefan Edberg and Holger Rune, looked on as Alcaraz struck first, earning an early break when Sinner pushed a loose forehand long on break point. The Italian soon settled, though, finding his rhythm and asserting greater consistency from the baseline to level.

Alcaraz struggled to generate his usual damage on second serve, with the cooler conditions limiting the impact of his kick serve into Sinner's backhand. However, the Spaniard responded under pressure, saving a crucial break point in the ninth game when Sinner misfired on the forehand.

Sinner managed the swirling conditions more effectively in the tie-break, finding his spots on serve and reading the Alcaraz drop shot to seize control of the breaker. The Italian clinched the set when Alcaraz hit a double fault, after Sinner had squandered his first set-point opportunity when he struck a short forehand into the net.

Alcaraz won one of the points of the week to break Sinner’s serve at the start of the second set. Pushed from side to side, the Spaniard hung in the point and then found the feet of the oncoming Italian with a crosscourt backhand pass. Sinner dropped his volley short but Alcaraz scampered to flick a forehand winner.

Sinner levelled for 3-3 in a game where he hit an overhead backhand smash and capitalised on a missed Alcaraz drop shot on break point. The second seed effectively targeted the Alcaraz backhand in the closing stages of the second set, reeling off the final five games to triumph. Following his 24th win of the season, Sinner dropped to his haunches before he embraced Alcaraz and then his team courtside.

Alcaraz completed the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open in February and then won the ATP 500 event in Doha. Alcaraz’s perfect 16-0 start to the season came to an end against Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells semi-finals.

Sinner, who has won a Tour-leading three titles in 2026, will begin his 67th week as World No. 1 on Monday, moving one clear of Alcaraz, who has held top spot for 66 weeks. It is the first time the Italian has been World No. 1 since the week of 3 November 2025. Sinner and Alcaraz have both won eight Masters 1000 titles.

Did You Know?
Sinner joined Djokovic (2015) as the only men who have claimed the first three ATP Masters 1000 titles of the season.