Alcaraz and his big doubt: Will he play Monte Carlo and Barcelona?

Jose Morón | 31 Mar 2026 | 14.09

Alcaraz and his big doubt: Will he play Monte Carlo and Barcelona? Photo: Getty

Streaming M25 Cuiaba live tennis

🎾 Wilson Leite vs Nick Hardt

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

Carlos Alcaraz is already training on clay courts, preparing for what is his big tour. While there could be a debate about which surface suits him best, whether hardcourt or clay, the truth is that he excels on clay when he's at 100%, sparking a great discussion on which tournaments he might play this year, with Monte Carlo and Barcelona on the table as potential options.

Carlitos has always had some physical issues during all his clay court tours since he burst onto the scene in the circuit. It's a very condensed and demanding tour, with 22 potential matches between April 6 and May 17, that is, in 41 days. Too much wear and tear for a body that needs to be in prime condition for the important event starting on May 24: Roland Garros.

Carlos Alcaraz's Dilemma on the Clay Tour

Samu López, his coach, mentioned in an interview for Eurosport that if Alcaraz had gone far in Miami, they would have skipped Monte Carlo. Since they lost early and have already committed to playing in the Principality, the current question is what path the Murcian player will take regarding the tournaments in this tour.

With Madrid and Rome as certain appearances, each played over two weeks with rest days between matches, the indecision seems to be between Monte Carlo and Barcelona. These two tournaments, being just one week long, require the player to potentially play 10 matches in just 13 days. Last year, Carlitos pushed himself to the limit in reaching the final in Barcelona, sustaining a muscle injury against Rune. He risked a more severe injury, although that problem prevented him from competing in Madrid.

The main issue that Alcaraz faces is the risk of injury. Any moderately serious problem during this tour could make him miss such an important event like Roland Garros. It can be said that Carlos was somewhat fortunate that the muscle tear in Barcelona last year was minor, only causing him to skip one tournament. However, had it been more severe, requiring a month off, it would have greatly affected his preparation for Paris.

Not even Rafa Nadal in his best clay court tours managed to win all three M1000 events, Barcelona, and Roland Garros. The most he achieved was winning Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros in 2010, skipping Barcelona to rest. Spanish fans would not want to hear that Alcaraz might skip a tournament, but decisions must always prioritize his physical well-being and arriving in the best condition for Paris.

The dilemma lies in participating in Monte Carlo or Barcelona, choosing one as playing potentially 10 matches in less than two weeks seems extreme. Perhaps the most sensible approach would be to play only one, yet indications point to Alcaraz playing both this year unless he faces a physical issue.

If Monte Carlo finishes early for him before the final or if he plays all five matches with minimal strain, the debate over whether to play in Barcelona becomes irrelevant since he would need to be fit for that event. The uncertainty would arise if Monte Carlo proves to be a moderately demanding week for him, with several three-set matches or a tough final against Sinner or another top player. That's where decisions for the following week might come into play.

He's Had a Physical Issue in Every Clay Tour

Since his breakthrough on the circuit in 2021, Carlitos has always faced some physical problem during each clay court tour.

2022: Skipped Roma due to an ankle issue (won Madrid and Barcelona)
2023: Skipped Monte Carlo due to fatigue (won Madrid and Barcelona)
2024: Injured his forearm before Monte Carlo, had to withdraw, and also missed Barcelona (won Roland Garros with initial doubts due to his injury)
2025: Injured in the Barcelona final and missed Madrid (won Monte Carlo, Rome, and Roland Garros)

Alcaraz regrets his experience in Madrid, where he couldn't play in optimal conditions in 2024 and his forced absence in 2025. This year, he wishes to be ready for this tournament, which doesn't guarantee his full presence in Barcelona.

What do you think? Should Carlitos complete the full tour, or could he skip a tournament before Paris?