Clay season kicks off in Europe!

With Jannik Sinner sitting this one out and Djokovic trying to reclaim his crown in the Monaco sunshine, the 2025 clay swing was looking spicy. Add Zverev and Alcaraz chasing the No.1 ranking, and we were all set for fireworks.

But early exits from both Nole and Sacha left the** Monte Carlo Masters** wide open from the get-go. Now, it’s Carlos Alcaraz’s golden shot to grab his first title here and make a serious statement on the red dirt.

Let’s rewind a bit. In Monte Carlo, there’s one name that echoes louder than any other: **Rafael Nadal. The King of Clay turned **this court into his backyard, crushing records and opponents alike. His dominance on clay is untouchable — no wonder no one’s even close to matching his numbers.

Since** Rafa’s** withdrawal from the tournament scene (11 titles in 12 Monte Carlo finals!), only five active players have lifted the trophy: Tsitsipas (3), Djokovic (2), Wawrinka (1), Rublev (1), and Fognini (1).
** Tsitsipas now has a shot at a fourth title, which would break his tie with legends like Thomas Muster, Bjorn Borg, and Ilie Nastase** — all three-time champs back when the event didn’t carry today’s M**asters 1000 weight.
** Check out the full history of the Monte Carlo Masters in the Open Era (1968–2024) in the table below — including a breakdown of titles by active players.