The clay courts of Monte-Carlo shimmered under the Mediterranean sun on April 13, 2025, as Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish prodigy, hoisted his first Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters trophy, a victory that echoed through the tennis world. The world No. 2’s commanding 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 comeback against Lorenzo Musetti marked his sixth Masters 1000 title, a milestone made all the more remarkable by the absence of his longtime coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. From afar, Ferrero, a former Monte-Carlo champion himself, beamed with pride, sending a heartfelt message to Alcaraz and his team, celebrating a triumph that showcased the young star’s resilience and independence.
Alcaraz’s journey to the final was a testament to his grit. Seeded second, he navigated a treacherous draw, overcoming Francisco Cerundolo and Daniel Altmaier before facing a stern test against 12th seed Arthur Fils, where he rallied from a set down. In the semifinals, he outlasted compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a hard-fought straight-sets battle. The final against Musetti, a rising Italian star, saw Alcaraz falter early, dropping the first set. But the Spaniard’s explosive forehand and relentless court coverage turned the tide, leaving Musetti overwhelmed in a 6-1, 6-0 rout. “I’m not surprised that Lorenzo is pretty close to be Top 10,” Alcaraz said post-match, praising his opponent’s potential. “He has the weapons. He has the level.”
Ferrero, who has guided Alcaraz since he was 16, was notably absent, tending to commitments at his tennis academy in Alicante. In his place, Samuel López, Alcaraz’s secondary coach and former mentor to Pablo Carreño Busta, stepped up, offering steady guidance. Ferrero’s decision to miss Monte-Carlo sparked whispers of tension, but Alcaraz dismissed them with characteristic warmth. “I love being with Juan Carlos, but I just hired a really good coach like Samuel, who I trust 100%,” he told reporters, emphasizing the seamless trust within his team. Ferrero’s message, shared via social media, was a quiet but powerful nod to their bond, congratulating Alcaraz on joining an elite group of Spanish Monte-Carlo champions, including Rafael Nadal and Ferrero himself, who won in 2002 and 2003.
The victory was a turning point for Alcaraz, who had endured a rocky start to 2025. After a semifinal loss to Jack Draper in Indian Wells and a shock first-round exit to David Goffin in Miami, doubts swirled about his form. “I’ve been paying attention to the rankings and the stats,” Alcaraz admitted. “I think it’s the wrong thing to do. I love playing tennis, I love stepping on the court.” Monte-Carlo, where he had never won a match before, became a canvas for rediscovery. “One thing that I learned the last month is I have to think about myself,” he reflected, a mantra that fueled his focus. The title not only boosted him to No. 2 in the ATP Live Race to Turin but also narrowed the gap to 900 points behind Alexander Zverev in the rankings.
Ferrero’s influence, though distant, loomed large. A former world No. 1 and 2003 French Open champion, he has molded Alcaraz into a four-time Grand Slam winner, with titles at the 2022 US Open, 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon, and 2024 French Open. Their partnership, rooted in shared Spanish heritage and a love for clay, has produced 18 ATP titles, a record Alcaraz cherishes. “I wish to win it more than once,” he said of Monte-Carlo, smiling at the thought of Nadal’s 11 titles. “Thinking about 11 is impossible, honestly.” Yet, his hunger to build on this breakthrough is palpable, with the Barcelona Open (April 14-20) next on his horizon, where Ferrero is expected to rejoin him.
Alcaraz’s Monte-Carlo run silenced critics who questioned his reliance on Ferrero. Under López’s watch, he proved his game thrives on instinct and adaptability. “It’s been a tough month for me,” he confessed, alluding to personal and professional struggles. But as he stood atop the podium, trophy in hand, Alcaraz’s grin told a story of renewal. Ferrero’s message, though simple, carried the weight of their journey—a reminder that even from a distance, a mentor’s faith can light the way to greatness.