Carlos Alcaraz has demonstrated strong performance on clay courts in 2025.
The Spaniard secured his second ATP Masters 1000 title of the European clay court season on Sunday at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, defeating his prominent rival and the tournament’s top Italian contender, Jannik Sinner, in the championship match.
“Winning tournaments, lifting trophies gives you a lot of confidence coming to the next tournaments,” said Alcaraz, who is the first player to lift three ATP Tour titles this season. “Masters 1000s give you a lot of confidence [in] yourself just to know that you are on the right path, in the right way, playing great tennis.”
Alcaraz’s decisive 7-6(5), 6-1 victory in Rome, which ended World No. 1 Sinner’s 26-match winning streak, secured his achievement of completing the set of clay Masters 1000 titles, following his victories in Madrid (2022, 2023) and Monte Carlo earlier this year.
“I’m just really happy to see Jannik back at this amazing level,” said Alcaraz, who has returned to No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings after his Rome run. “I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him coming back after three months and making the final of a Masters 1000 in his first tournament [back]. It’s something insane, so I have to congratulate him.”
Although he narrowly missed securing his first title at the Foro Italico, Sinner can take pride in his strong performance during his first tournament since the Australian Open in January. Alcaraz was quick to commend his friend’s return, now leading their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 7-4, as both players prepare for the upcoming Roland Garros in Paris.
Photo/InternazionaliBNLd’Italia/X
