Carlos Alcaraz Faces Uphill Battle in Nightmare Monte-Carlo Masters Draw
Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz is gearing up for a challenging start to his clay court season as he prepares to compete in the Monte-Carlo Masters. After missing out on last year’s Monte-Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open due to injury, Alcaraz has a golden opportunity to climb up the ATP Rankings with 1,500 ranking points at stake in these upcoming events.
However, Alcaraz’s rankings target is facing a major setback as he has been handed a nightmare draw for the Monte-Carlo Masters. The draw pits him against the formidable World No 23, Francisco Cerundolo, in what promises to be a grueling second-round match. Cerundolo, a clay court specialist in prime form, will undoubtedly test the reigning French Open champion in his first clay court appearance of the year.
Should Alcaraz manage to navigate past Cerundolo, he will face another tough opponent in Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who previously challenged him in Indian Wells. With dangerous players like Casper Ruud also looming in his half of the draw, Alcaraz faces an uphill battle to make his mark on the clay court swing of the ATP Tour.
In a candid assessment of his recent performance at the Miami Open, where he suffered a disappointing defeat, Alcaraz admitted to struggling with his focus and confidence on the court. His openness about these challenges has raised questions about his mental fortitude and ability to handle pressure in high-stakes matches.
Renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who has worked with legends like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, expressed surprise at Alcaraz’s candidness about his struggles, suggesting that such admissions could potentially impact his performance on the court. Mouratoglou highlighted the importance of mental resilience in the face of adversity, citing examples from the careers of other tennis greats like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.
As Alcaraz braces himself for the tough battles ahead in the Monte-Carlo Masters, all eyes will be on the young star to see if he can overcome the odds and rise to the occasion on the clay courts of Monaco.