Winner Sinner
Hall of Fame
In the suggestive setting of the Principality of Monaco, the Media Day of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 2025 offered much more than a simple press conference. Carlos Alcaraz, one of the most anticipated protagonists of the tournament, opened a glimpse into his most intimate dimension, sharing surprisingly sincere reflections on the period lived during Jannik Sinner’s absence from the circuit. A confession that redraws the narrative of the last few weeks and illuminates the psychological complexities that lie behind the Spanish champion’s smile.
The confession: when expectations become a burden
“Many have spoken about this topic, people thought that for the simple fact that Sinner was out, both Sascha [Zverev] and I should have won everything, or played better than before,” Alcaraz began with a firm voice but tinged with a new awareness. “This is not correct, starting from the fact that now there is much more balance in the dressing room, there are many more players who can push forward in tournaments.”
Despite the public narrative that he was impervious to external pressure, the Murcian has finally admitted how the weight of expectations has affected his performance: “Probably, this pressure has destroyed me in some way”. A phrase that resonates particularly significantly, uttered by an athlete who has always made mental lightness one of his main weapons. The sporting balance of this period – quarterfinals in Doha, title in Rotterdam, semifinals in Indian Wells and second round in Miami – would be extraordinary for many, but not for those who are constantly measured with exceptional parameters. “I’m not surprised that I haven’t returned to number 1 in the world, even if many people continue to expect me to win everything”, he added with a maturity that transcends his 21 years. “Many people ask me, they asked me to make the most of this period of Jannik’s absence to return to the top… Even if Jannik is not playing, the reality is that I am too far from him… and now on clay I will not have the opportunity to climb back up. I will simply focus on giving the best of myself.”
Monte Carlo: revenge in a cursed tournament
The Monegasque tournament paradoxically represents an almost symbolic opportunity for Alcaraz: here he only needs to win one match to improve his historical record. In his only participation, in 2022, he was defeated in the first round by Sebastian Korda in a hard-fought match (7-6, 6-7, 6-3), while injuries prevented him from returning in subsequent years.
“Here the feeling is strange because I have never even obtained a victory,” he reflected. “It seems that there is something in the tournament that does not play in my favor, even if in reality the numbers simply say that I have only participated once, when I lost.” His approach to this edition, however, seems more mature and aware: “I am happy to be here, this time without injuries, to try to play as best as possible, with the hope of obtaining a great result. The sensations in training have been positive.”
The Netflix documentary: the athlete beyond the cameras
The conference also offered the opportunity to delve into the themes of the next Netflix documentary dedicated to Alcaraz, a project that promises to show the human side of the champion “when the cameras turn off”. Not a simple celebration, but a journey into the “good moments, but also the bad moments” that characterize the life of a young man projected so early into the Olympus of world tennis.
The documentary addresses an existential question that transcends sport: is it possible to reconcile personal happiness with the ambition of becoming the best in history? Alcaraz’s answer is as sincere as it is revealing: “Probably not. I don’t know. As the documentary shows, we are on the way to finding out.”
This reflection encompasses the great dilemma that defines the present and future of the Spanish tennis player: preserving his authenticity, spontaneity and the joy he transmits on the court, while pursuing a level of excellence that has historically required total sacrifice and an almost monastic dedication.
Legacy of the Big Three and future horizons
Comparisons with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are inevitable for anyone who shows extraordinary talent at a young age, but Alcaraz seems to have found a balance in his relationship with these legends: “It’s a compliment to be put on the same level as the three best players in history, but I am Carlos Alcaraz. I try to make my own way, I don’t like comparisons.”
With a surprising awareness for his age, he also scaled down previous statements about his goal of becoming the best in history: “I would like to be and sit at the table with those three, but it’s not something that obsesses me.” This evolution of thought reflects a personal growth that goes hand in hand with his athletic one.
For the future, the goals are clear: the Australian Open, ATP Finals and Davis Cup represent the trophies still missing from his trophy cabinet, those that he himself defines as “Pokémon” yet to be caught. But perhaps the phrase that best summarizes today's Alcaraz is the one he closed the conference with: "I am very aware of being privileged, I repeat it often." An awareness that, paradoxically, could lighten the weight of the expectations that have "destroyed" him so much in the past months.
The confession: when expectations become a burden
“Many have spoken about this topic, people thought that for the simple fact that Sinner was out, both Sascha [Zverev] and I should have won everything, or played better than before,” Alcaraz began with a firm voice but tinged with a new awareness. “This is not correct, starting from the fact that now there is much more balance in the dressing room, there are many more players who can push forward in tournaments.”
Despite the public narrative that he was impervious to external pressure, the Murcian has finally admitted how the weight of expectations has affected his performance: “Probably, this pressure has destroyed me in some way”. A phrase that resonates particularly significantly, uttered by an athlete who has always made mental lightness one of his main weapons. The sporting balance of this period – quarterfinals in Doha, title in Rotterdam, semifinals in Indian Wells and second round in Miami – would be extraordinary for many, but not for those who are constantly measured with exceptional parameters. “I’m not surprised that I haven’t returned to number 1 in the world, even if many people continue to expect me to win everything”, he added with a maturity that transcends his 21 years. “Many people ask me, they asked me to make the most of this period of Jannik’s absence to return to the top… Even if Jannik is not playing, the reality is that I am too far from him… and now on clay I will not have the opportunity to climb back up. I will simply focus on giving the best of myself.”
Monte Carlo: revenge in a cursed tournament
The Monegasque tournament paradoxically represents an almost symbolic opportunity for Alcaraz: here he only needs to win one match to improve his historical record. In his only participation, in 2022, he was defeated in the first round by Sebastian Korda in a hard-fought match (7-6, 6-7, 6-3), while injuries prevented him from returning in subsequent years.
“Here the feeling is strange because I have never even obtained a victory,” he reflected. “It seems that there is something in the tournament that does not play in my favor, even if in reality the numbers simply say that I have only participated once, when I lost.” His approach to this edition, however, seems more mature and aware: “I am happy to be here, this time without injuries, to try to play as best as possible, with the hope of obtaining a great result. The sensations in training have been positive.”
The Netflix documentary: the athlete beyond the cameras
The conference also offered the opportunity to delve into the themes of the next Netflix documentary dedicated to Alcaraz, a project that promises to show the human side of the champion “when the cameras turn off”. Not a simple celebration, but a journey into the “good moments, but also the bad moments” that characterize the life of a young man projected so early into the Olympus of world tennis.
The documentary addresses an existential question that transcends sport: is it possible to reconcile personal happiness with the ambition of becoming the best in history? Alcaraz’s answer is as sincere as it is revealing: “Probably not. I don’t know. As the documentary shows, we are on the way to finding out.”
This reflection encompasses the great dilemma that defines the present and future of the Spanish tennis player: preserving his authenticity, spontaneity and the joy he transmits on the court, while pursuing a level of excellence that has historically required total sacrifice and an almost monastic dedication.
Legacy of the Big Three and future horizons
Comparisons with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are inevitable for anyone who shows extraordinary talent at a young age, but Alcaraz seems to have found a balance in his relationship with these legends: “It’s a compliment to be put on the same level as the three best players in history, but I am Carlos Alcaraz. I try to make my own way, I don’t like comparisons.”
With a surprising awareness for his age, he also scaled down previous statements about his goal of becoming the best in history: “I would like to be and sit at the table with those three, but it’s not something that obsesses me.” This evolution of thought reflects a personal growth that goes hand in hand with his athletic one.
For the future, the goals are clear: the Australian Open, ATP Finals and Davis Cup represent the trophies still missing from his trophy cabinet, those that he himself defines as “Pokémon” yet to be caught. But perhaps the phrase that best summarizes today's Alcaraz is the one he closed the conference with: "I am very aware of being privileged, I repeat it often." An awareness that, paradoxically, could lighten the weight of the expectations that have "destroyed" him so much in the past months.
