Carlos Alcaraz returns to the surface that brought him the most joy last year and where he aspires to create a historic winning dynasty: clay courts. Everything indicates that he will plan a very ambitious schedule in a compact and overloaded tour, seeking titles and confidence before the big event, such as Roland Garros 2026.
With unlimited ambition, a desire to redeem himself for the setback suffered in the first Masters 1000 of the year, and eagerness to continue making history and solidifying his position as world number 1, Carlos Alcaraz will appear in the clay court tour starting with the Monte Carlo tournament. An exciting journey through legendary stages of Old Europe until reaching the tennis mecca on this surface, Roland Garros 2026, where he will defend the title.
This is Carlos Alcaraz's clay court tour calendar for 2026
- ATP Rolex Masters 1000 Monte Carlo: April 5 to 12
- ATP 500 Conde de Godó: April 13 to 19
- Mutua Madrid Open: April 22 to May 3
- ATP Masters 1000 Rome: May 6 to 17
- Roland Garros: May 24 to June 7
It is utopian to think that any of the world's top players can compete in full physical and mental condition in all the major tournaments of the European clay court tour. The tight schedule, the physical demands of this surface, and the need to play six matches to win the Madrid and Rome Masters 1000 titles make taking a break and sacrificing an event almost mandatory.
Not doing so exposes you clearly to the risk of injury and jeopardizes your presence in Paris. Carlos has not played the 5 most significant events of this tour (Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros) in any season during his professional career. He skipped the Rome tournament in 2022, was absent from Monte Carlo in 2023, and could not compete in the Mutua Madrid Open in 2025 due to physical discomfort. This is undeniable proof of how the current pace of play makes it incompatible to play so many weeks consecutively.
Alcaraz and the desire to play it all: historic challenge or irresponsibility?
In 2024, the Murcian had a scare when he could only play in Madrid clearly affected by arm discomfort, which eventually dissipated in Roland Garros, where he won the title. It is clear that all these events are very special for Carlos, offering him the opportunity to set historical records in all of them. However, the main focus should be to arrive in the best possible shape at the second Grand Slam of the season, where he will seek his third consecutive title.
For all these reasons, many are urging the Spaniard to sacrifice one of the previous tournaments. One might have expected that after reigning in Monte Carlo last year, Alcaraz would have decided to skip it to refresh his mind and prepare for what lies ahead. However, he has confirmed his participation in the Principality, possibly related to defending the number 1 spot and the 1,000 points he would lose if he does not compete there.
Immediately after finishing his participation in Monaco, he would have to travel to Barcelona, a very special tournament for him because it is held in his country and due to the connection he has with the club where it is played in the Catalan city. It has never been easy for Carlos to give up competing here, and although it might seem the most logical thing to do this season since he "only" defends 330 points, all signs indicate that he will be there ready to debut on Tuesday, April 14, barring any unforeseen event or physical issue arising in Monte Carlo.

Next comes the event that could generate the most internal debate for the Spaniard and his team: the Mutua Madrid Open. Absenting himself for the second consecutive year from the country's most important tournament would be tough, as it is seen as a good opportunity to earn ranking points. However, the fact that it is played at altitude and comes after two weeks of maximum exertion in the tour poses a significant risk of his absence.
If Alcaraz manages to emerge unscathed from the competitive demands of participating in the three tournaments, it almost seems utopian to think he would attend Rome. He would have to accept the loss of 1,000 points, but he would likely prioritize his physical and mental well-being, as well as preventing problems. If he feels well enough to go to the Foro Italico and completes the four tournaments preceding Roland Garros 2026, it would be necessary to assess whether his performance does not decline due to fatigue and if he arrives in Paris in full confidence.
How many ATP ranking points does Carlos Alcaraz defend in the 2026 clay court tour?
One of the factors that may influence the decisions of Alcaraz and his team regarding which tournaments to play in this tour is the competition with Sinner for the world number 1 spot. The margin has narrowed more than expected after Indian Wells and Miami, and it is necessary to consider that the Italian does not have to defend points until the Rome tournament, where he was a finalist last year. Thus, all the pressure is on Carlos, who has little room to increase his current score.
- ATP Rolex Masters 1000 Monte Carlo: 1,000 points as defending champion
- ATP 500 Conde de Godó: 330 points as the reigning finalist
- Mutua Madrid Open: 0 points for not participating
- ATP Masters 1000 Rome: 1,000 points as defending champion
- Roland Garros: 2,000 points as defending champion
In conclusion, Carlos Alcaraz and his entire team must carefully evaluate all aspects before making decisions regarding which tournaments to play. The original plan is to compete in the four most important tournaments leading up to Roland Garros 2026, but this may change based on the results obtained, physical and mental sensations, and the caution deemed necessary to avoid risks.
本新闻为自动翻译。您可以阅读原始新闻:Alcaraz y los graves riesgos de su calendario en la gira sobre tierra batida

