Alcaraz returns to clay to defend his French Open title at Monte Carlo.

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is returning to clay to defend his French Open title, aiming for a full European clay-court season including tournaments in Monaco, Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome. Alcaraz, who won his fifth Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2025, expressed excitement about playing his preferred surface, noting that his success that year was built on a pivotal performance in Monte Carlo. He begins his campaign in Monaco against either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez.