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Could Monte-Carlo tennis be key to Rory McIlroy’s success at The Masters?
McIlroy speaks about Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Augusta
April 11, 2026
Getty Images/ATP Tour
Rory McIlroy has been watching the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, where Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion.
By ATP Staff
Could the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters be the key to Rory McIlroy’s success at The Masters?
After finishing his second round with a six-stroke lead in the iconic golf tournament, McIlroy spoke to the media about his plans for the leadup to Saturday’s third round. The defending champion’s mind went to tennis, not golf.
“I’ll probably try to keep my mind off it. That distraction is usually a good thing for me, especially with a late tee time and the lead,” McIlroy said in his press conference. “So yeah, there are actually two really good semi-finals at Monte-Carlo in the tennis, so I’ll watch that.
“I think it’s Sinner and Zverev, and Vacherot and Alcaraz, so I’ll watch those. We’ve been watching the tennis early in the mornings, so I’ll do that.”
Jannik Sinner will put his 20-match ATP Masters 1000 winning streak on the line against Alexander Zverev in the first semi-final, which will begin not before 7:30 a.m. McIlroy’s time (The golfer is competing in the United States). Carlos Alcaraz will then take on home favourite Valentin Vacherot not before 9:30 a.m. McIlroy’s time.
The golfer is not suddenly following tennis, either. McIlroy was on site at the recent Miami Open presented by Itau.
