Alcaraz cleared for clay
Carlos Alcaraz’s coach says Alcaraz is fit for a full clay swing starting at Monte‑Carlo and pushed back on fears over his No. 1 status after an earlier abductor issue last year. The update comes with context — Alcaraz opened the season with a 16‑match unbeaten run and titles in Melbourne and Doha — so his preparation is being framed as confident heading into the clay swing. (tennis365.com) (sports.yahoo.com)
Samuel López, who joined Alcaraz’s entourage in December 2024, has taken the lead-coach role and previously worked alongside Juan Carlos Ferrero in the Spaniard’s camp. (tennis365.com) Alcaraz returned to clay training at Club de Campo Murcia (El Palmar) this week and has been practising with Spanish prospect Martin Landaluce as part of his build-up to the European clay swing. (tennistonic.com) The 2026 Rolex Monte‑Carlo Masters is scheduled across April 4–12, with qualifying beginning April 4 and the main draw slated to start April 5. (montecarlosbm.com) Alcaraz is the reigning Monte‑Carlo champion after defeating Lorenzo Musetti 3‑6, 6‑1, 6‑0 to lift the title in April 2025. (atptour.com) He arrives at the clay swing after a shock third‑round defeat by Sebastian Korda at the Miami Open on March 22, 2026, when Korda won 6‑3, 5‑7, 6‑4. (atptour.com) According to published point tallies ahead of the clay season, Alcaraz carried about 13,590 PIF ATP ranking points and faces the need to defend 1,000 points at Monte‑Carlo (and a further 1,000 at the Italian Open later in the swing). (sportskeeda.com)
