Greg Rusedski Urges Carlos Alcaraz To Refocus On Tactical Sharpness Following Monte Carlo Final Defeat

Greg Rusedski identifies technical and mental shifts Carlos Alcaraz needs to make after losing the world number one spot to Jannik Sinner in Monte Carlo.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 3:36 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

Technical Vulnerabilities Exposed In Windy Conditions

In the aftermath of the 2026 Monte Carlo Masters final, where Jannik Sinner triumphed 7-6(5), 6-3, analyst Greg Rusedski has offered a candid breakdown of Carlos Alcaraz's current form. Speaking on his latest podcast, Rusedski pointed to Alcaraz’s backhand wing as a primary area of concern. He observed that Sinner specifically targeted this side to gain an advantage during the high-stakes match. According to Rusedski, the challenging windy conditions in the Principality further highlighted these technical lapses, forcing Alcaraz into defensive positions that he was unable to navigate as effectively as he has in the past.

Preparation Disparities And Tournament Scheduling

Rusedski also highlighted a significant difference in the players' lead-up to the event. While Sinner arrived in Monte Carlo to begin practicing on the Thursday prior to the tournament, Alcaraz did not arrive until Saturday. This gap in preparation time may have contributed to Alcaraz appearing less "sharp" than his rival. Despite the loss, Alcaraz still maintains a 10-7 lead in their head-to-head rivalry, but Rusedski warns that the Spaniard must find a better balance between rest and match play. The decision to play back-to-back weeks in Monte Carlo and Barcelona—a schedule that resulted in injury for Alcaraz last season—remains a point of debate among his support team.

Rekindling The Competitive Hunger

Beyond technical adjustments, Rusedski touched upon the mental challenges Alcaraz has faced since his coaching split with Juan Carlos Ferrero. After an initial "tear" of 16 consecutive wins, Alcaraz has experienced a slight dip in performance and focus. Rusedski referenced sideline comments made by the Spaniard in Miami regarding mental fatigue as a potential warning sign. To compete with a version of Sinner that Rusedski likened to "Novak Djokovic 2.0," Alcaraz must rediscover the "freshness and hunger" that defined his early-season dominance. The analyst suggested that Alcaraz's upcoming appearance in Barcelona will be a critical test of his ability to perform under the pressure of home-crowd expectations.