The sun-drenched clay courts of Monte Carlo, nestled against the shimmering Mediterranean, have long been a battleground for tennis’s biggest stars. In the 2025 Rolex Monte Carlo Masters, Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish sensation, has seized the spotlight with a commanding performance that not only marks his deepest run at the tournament but also brings him tantalizingly close to overtaking Alexander Zverev for the world No. 2 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings. As Alcaraz powers through the draw, his latest feat—a quarter-final berth after a decisive victory—has ignited a rankings race that promises to reshape the ATP hierarchy.
Alcaraz’s journey in Monte Carlo has been a revelation. The reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, who had only played one match at this Masters 1000 event before this year due to injuries in 2023 and 2024, arrived with modest expectations. “I am really happy to be here,” he said before the tournament, noting his excitement to finally compete at a venue where he’d previously faltered. His debut in 2022 ended with a second-round loss to Sebastian Korda, but this time, Alcaraz has found his rhythm on the red dirt. His campaign began with a hard-fought comeback against Francisco Cerundolo, a 3-6, 6-0, 6-1 triumph that showcased his resilience. He followed it with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 rout of Daniel Altmaier, a match where he reeled off nine of the last ten games. “At the beginning of the match, we played really long and tough rallies, really close games,” Alcaraz reflected, crediting his ability to shift gears for the win.
The quarter-final berth is a milestone for Alcaraz, marking his first time reaching this stage in Monte Carlo. More crucially, it has significant implications for his ranking. Zverev, the No. 1 seed, suffered a shock second-round defeat to Matteo Berrettini, losing 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 and failing to defend the 180 points he earned as a quarter-finalist last year. With Zverev’s point total dropping to 7,595, Alcaraz, who entered the tournament with 6,730 points, stands to gain ground. A title run in Monte Carlo would net him 1,000 points, pushing his tally to as high as 7,720—enough to surpass Zverev and reclaim the No. 2 ranking he last held in 2023. “His level is really high right now,” Alcaraz said of his next opponent, Arthur Fils, but his focus remains on sustaining the aggressive play that has carried him this far. Even if he falls short of the title, his performance has already shaved Zverev’s lead, setting up a tight race as the clay season progresses.
Alcaraz’s resurgence comes at a pivotal moment. His 2025 season started with promise—a title at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam—but stumbles in Indian Wells (semifinals) and Miami (first round) saw him slip to No. 3 behind Zverev, whose consistency had kept him ahead despite no Grand Slam titles. Zverev’s early exit in Monte Carlo, coupled with his lackluster results since the Australian Open final—quarters in Buenos Aires and Rio, second round in Indian Wells—has exposed vulnerabilities. “I changed my attitude and the way I was believing in my strokes,” Berrettini said of his upset over Zverev, a win that handed Alcaraz a golden opportunity.
The Spaniard’s clay-court pedigree adds weight to his charge. With eight of his 15 career titles on the surface, including Roland Garros 2024 and two Masters 1000 crowns in Madrid, Alcaraz thrives on the grind of red dirt. His Monte Carlo run has silenced doubters who questioned his form after Miami. “I started playing more aggressively,” he said after beating Cerundolo, a tactical shift that has unlocked his trademark flair—blistering forehands, deft drop shots, and relentless defense. Facing Fils, a rising French star, in the quarters, Alcaraz knows the challenge ahead. Yet, with Novak Djokovic also out after a loss to Alejandro Tabilo, the draw has opened up, making Alcaraz the favorite to claim his first Monte Carlo title.
For fans, Alcaraz’s pursuit of No. 2 is more than a numbers game—it’s a testament to his hunger. At 21, he’s already the youngest man to win majors on all three surfaces, and his 2024 French Open final victory over Zverev proved his edge in high-stakes moments. As he eyes the top two, the clay season offers further chances to close the gap with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, whose suspension ends in May. With Madrid and Rome looming, where Zverev defends 1,000 points from a 2024 title, Alcaraz’s momentum could carry him even higher. For now, Monte Carlo is his stage, and the tennis world watches as “Carlitos” chases glory and a rankings leap that could redefine his season.