Carlos Alcaraz solidified his status as one of tennis’s brightest stars by clinching his first-ever Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters title on Sunday, defeating Lorenzo Musetti in a thrilling final, 3-6, 6-1, 6-0.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, already a four-time Grand Slam champion, showcased his clay-court prowess in a match that highlighted both his resilience and his dominance on the surface, further cementing his legacy as a formidable force in the sport.
Trophy time 🏆
For the first time since Indian Wells last March, @carlosalcaraz is a Masters 1000 winner@ROLEXMCMASTERS | #RolexMonteCarloMasters pic.twitter.com/lqPu8gSI9E
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 13, 2025
The match began with a challenge for Alcaraz, as Musetti, the 23-year-old Italian who had reached his maiden Masters 1000 final, came out firing. Musetti took the first set 6-3, capitalizing on Alcaraz’s early errors and dictating play with his elegant one-handed backhand. However, Alcaraz quickly adjusted his strategy, adopting a more aggressive approach that included drop shots, net play, and deeper returns closer to the baseline. This tactical shift turned the tide, allowing him to dominate the second and third sets, conceding just one game in the final two sets combined.
“I made a lot of mistakes in the first set, letting him control the points,” Alcaraz reflected after the match. “I knew I had to change something—play more aggressively, use my drop shots, and push him back with my returns. That made all the difference.” His adaptability was on full display as he unleashed a barrage of winners, finishing the match with a commanding 6-0 third set that left the Monte Carlo crowd in awe.
For Musetti, the final was a bittersweet moment. Having defeated three-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and resilient Australian Alex de Minaur en route to the final, the Italian showed tremendous promise throughout the tournament. However, the physical toll of his journey was evident—he spent over four hours more on court than Alcaraz during the tournament, a factor that likely contributed to his fatigue in the latter stages of the match. “Lorenzo played his heart out this week,” Alcaraz acknowledged. “It’s a shame his body couldn’t keep up today, but he’s had an incredible tournament.”
This victory marks Alcaraz’s 10th win in 11 Masters 1000 and Grand Slam finals, a remarkable statistic for a player still early in his career. His only loss in such finals came against Novak Djokovic at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters. Alcaraz’s clay-court pedigree continues to grow, following his Roland Garros triumph in 2024 and previous Masters 1000 titles in Madrid (2022, 2023) and Indian Wells (2023, 2024). With this win, he improves his 2025 record to 17-4 and strengthens his position as the No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings.
The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters title adds another feather to Alcaraz’s cap as he prepares for the clay season leading into the French Open, where he will be a heavy favourite to defend his title. Fans and analysts alike are already buzzing about his potential to dominate the surface in the coming weeks, with upcoming tournaments in Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome providing further opportunities to build momentum.
Social media erupted with praise for Alcaraz’s performance, with fans dubbing him the “King of Clay” and the “Baby GOAT.” The ATP Tour’s official post, captioned “MONTE-CARLOS ,” featured a striking graphic with the words “The Scenery Hits Better From a Throne,” encapsulating Alcaraz’s regal performance. Meanwhile, betting communities celebrated profitable parlays, with some highlighting Alcaraz’s Monte Carlo futures as a key win alongside other successful tennis and UFC bets.
As Alcaraz lifts the Monte Carlo trophy, the tennis world looks ahead to what promises to be an exciting clay season. With his blend of power, finesse, and mental toughness, the young Spaniard is poised to continue his reign on the red dirt—and perhaps beyond.