Alcaraz: All in For Red Clay Revival

By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, April 5, 2026
Photo credit: Antoine Couvercelle/ROLEX

Sunburned by Sunshine Double defeats, Carlos Alcaraz is playing for revival on red clay.

Reigning Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champion Alcaraz will face either speedy Sebastian Baez or three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in his clay-campaign opener.

World No. 1 Alcaraz told L’Equipe, he aims to play a complete clay calendar this spring and aspires to defend his championships in Monte-Carlo, Rome and Roland Garros, Alcaraz said typically he’d skip Barcelona for a week of rest and recovery, but regards Barcelona as one of his favorite tournaments on the Tour and plans to play it.

“Yes [I plan to play the clay calendar],” Alcaraz told L’Equipe. “Obviously, the clay court season is very physically and mentally demanding. Normally, the week in Barcelona should be the week where I take a rest. But Barcelona is a very important tournament for me. It’s a special feeling.

“I used to play there when I was under 14. I have a lot of friends there… We’ll see how it goes, physically and mentally.”

In Melbourne, Alcaraz defeated Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic to make history as the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. The 22-year-old Spanish superstar said he relishes the prospect of a red-clay clash vs. Wawrinka, who is retiring at the end of this season.

“It’s amazing to hear him say those [he wants to play me],” Alcaraz said. “And I’d love to too. I had the opportunity to train with him here.

“It was amazing to share the court with him.”