Carlos Alcaraz may have just claimed his first Masters 1000 title of the season in Monte-Carlo, but Italy’s Davis Cup captain, Filippo Volandri, believes there’s still a vulnerability in the world No. 2’s game—one that Jannik Sinner could exploit.
Alcaraz battled through multiple three-set matches to take the Monte-Carlo Masters title, defeating Francisco Cerundolo, Arthur Fils, and finally Lorenzo Musetti in a gritty 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 win.
Volandri: “Alcaraz still suffers from drops in tension”
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Volandri praised Alcaraz’s versatility on clay but noted a recurring flaw:
“The victory in Monte-Carlo, although well deserved, showed us that Carlos still suffers from drops in tension,” said Volandri. “His opponents will have to exploit them.”
Volandri believes Jannik Sinner—who is set to return in Rome after a three-month break—may be one of the best-placed players to take advantage of those lapses.
Sinner’s Return: Recharged and Ready?
Sinner’s coach, Simone Vagnozzi, recently told Volandri that the world No. 1 is “extremely motivated” and mentally calm ahead of his comeback. But Volandri cautioned against expecting instant results:
“The adrenaline of competition is irreplaceable. Even if Jannik has spoiled us with phenomenal comebacks, let’s not expect instant dominance—he hasn’t played in three months.”
Volandri hinted that Sinner may focus more on serving strategy, especially on clay, where higher bounce and wide serves can be more effective than pure power.
Alcaraz vs. Sinner: Rivalry Set to Heat Up on Clay
Alcaraz and Sinner are likely to be the top seeds at the 2025 French Open, and their head-to-head on clay currently stands at 1-1:
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2024 French Open SF: Alcaraz def. Sinner – 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
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2022 Croatia Open Final: Sinner def. Alcaraz – 6-7, 6-1, 6-1
Their next showdown could take place at the Italian Open starting May 7, with fans eager to see the top two players in the world renew their thrilling rivalry on clay.
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