Match Reaction
Sinner on Monte-Carlo triumph: ‘I still need a little bit of time to realise what happened’
Italian defeated Alcaraz on Sunday to claim his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title on clay
April 12, 2026
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner won his eighth ATP Masters 1000 trophy on Sunday in Monte-Carlo
By Vishakha Khandelwal
Jannik Sinner has been winning quite often lately; you’d think he wouldn’t be surprised by what he achieves.
Last month, the Italian became the first player since Roger Federer in 2017 to win the ‘Sunshine Double’. Sinner hit another milestone at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Sunday when he beat great rival Carlos Alcaraz to win his first ATP Masters 1000 title on clay and eighth overall, while also securing his return to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Sinner can barely believe what is going on.
“I am surprised in a very good way, and [the win] means a lot to me, Sinner said. “I still need a little bit of time to realise what happened.”
It might take him some time to let it sink in, but he credited the result to the work he has been putting in behind the scenes to keep raising his level and delivering consistent results. With his title triumph in the Principality, Sinner became the only man, alongside Novak Djokovic, to emerge victorious at the first three Masters 1000 events of a season. Sinner now holds a 24-2 record in 2026 according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
“Every day I woke up and tried to improve and then tried to get better as a player,” Sinner shared. “Here [in Monte-Carlo], we did day by day, trying to understand what the best game style is against every opponent, because I haven’t played the same kind of tennis against everyone. We changed small, small things.”
All the small changes made a big difference for the Italian, especially in his clash with Alcaraz. By defeating the Spaniard, Sinner improved to 7-10 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series and secured back-to-back victories against the 22-year-old for the first time since 2023. Already looking ahead, the Italian knows he’ll need to be at his very best to come out on top again in their next showdown.
“It was a good match from him, and also from me, Sinner said. “There are small things that he is going to improve for the next match against me, and I have to be ready for that.”
Earlier this year, Alcaraz completed the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open in February and then won the ATP 500 event in Doha. The Spaniard entered the Monte-Carlo final on a 17-match winning streak on clay, and like Sinner, dropped only one set en route to the title match. Sinner also acknowledged Alcaraz’s achievements during the trophy presentation.
“Carlos, you and your team are doing amazing things year after year.” Sinner said. “You keep showing the player you are, achieving things nobody else has achieved before at your age. Facing you, especially in the final it makes it even more special.”
