Carlos Alcaraz "full of doubts" after knockout with Jannik Sinner

The defeat of Carlos Alcaraz in Monte Carlo could weigh heavily in future encounters between the Murcia champion and Jannik Sinner. According to Toni Nadal, Rafa Nadal’s uncle and former coach, the knockout caused a lot of doubts in the Iberian outfielder, who felt he was stronger on clay than his rival.

“It was a bad result for Alcaraz, because the Monte Carlo tournament is the closest Masters 1000 to Roland Garros , with conditions very similar to Paris. Also, Sinner has won four Masters 1000 titles in a row, and that is bad news for Alcaraz. I think he was the favorite, but I think he played at a pace that favored Sinner, and that’s why he lost the tournament,” Toni Nadal told Onda Cero.

Alcaraz appeared very nervous during the match. “Alcaraz’s conversations with the bench were more the result of desperation and nervousness of the moment. I think Alcaraz put up more first serves than Sinner, and I think in a moment of nervousness he lost control of what he was saying. In the end, Sinner was more consistent than Alcaraz.”

“It’s rare for a player like Alcaraz to commit a double fault and lose the set, although it also happened to Rafa Nadal in several finals against Djokovic. It can happen to anyone, but in this case Sinner was able to control his emotions better than Alcaraz.”

According to Toni Nadal, Sinner has now taken advantage ahead of Roland Garros: “After the Italian’s recent victories, this result could create several doubts in Alcaraz or give Sinner a major morale boost. Neither of them will win Roland Garros unless they play at 100 percent. If they meet again in the final, Sinner knows he can beat him on clay. The gap on these surfaces has narrowed again.”

Toni Nadal also applauded the new rising star of Spanish tennis, Rafa Jódar, who immediately showed off his debut in Barcelona: “I think Jódar hits the ball harder than Alcaraz; he has a devastating forehand. He is also very brave, always attacking. I think we will see him at the top soon. I don’t see him being able to compete with Alcaraz and Sinner yet; he still needs to improve his footwork and some aspects of his backhand, but Jódar is a player who, at the slightest opportunity, can unleash a powerful shot.”