Jannik Sinner claimed his 27th ATP tour-level singles title and third trophy of 2026 by beating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-3 in a 2-hour, 15-minute Monte Carlo Masters final on Sunday. The Italian, training in Monaco, extended his Masters 1000 winning streak to 22 matches—dropping just one set—reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking for the third time from Alcaraz, and became only the third player (after Djokovic and Nadal) to win four straight titles at this level.
Sinner entered the final on a 21-match Masters winning streak, having dropped one set earlier against Tomas Machac, and lifted the Coupe de S.A.S. le Prince Souverain. He pocketed €974,370 tax-free in Monaco, while Alcaraz earned €532,120 but netted about €244,775 after Spanish taxes.
In breezy conditions, Sinner edged the first set in a tiebreaker after Alcaraz double-faulted on set point. Despite Alcaraz leading 3-1 in the second and committing 45 unforced errors, Sinner broke twice—helped by a ball change at 2-1—to win in straight sets. This victory closed their head-to-head at 10-7 for Alcaraz overall (Sinner's fourth win in nine finals), their first meeting of 2026.
The win followed Sinner's Sunshine Double (Indian Wells, Miami) and completed four consecutive Masters 1000 titles, matching Djokovic and Nadal feats. It marked his first Monte Carlo clay title, significant despite limited clay prep last year due to a three-month doping suspension (Feb. 9–May 4, 2025, resolved by CAS), after which he reached the Rome final and lost on match points at Roland Garros.
Italian great Corrado Barazzutti told Gazzetta dello Sport that Sinner now surpasses Alcaraz on clay: 'For me, the difference with Alcaraz on clay hasn’t existed for a while now. Right now Sinner is stronger than Alcaraz even on clay,' adding Sinner's confidence contrasts Alcaraz's confusion. Coach Simone Vagnozzi praised: 'He’s reaching a very high level on clay.'
Sinner said: "It means a lot... I’m very happy to win at least one big trophy on this surface." Alcaraz congratulated him: "It is impressive... Just one man had won the ‘Sunshine Double’ and Monte-Carlo and you are now the second." He noted Sinner's first serve dominance to his coach.
Post-match, Sinner did his ritual pool jump (filmed by Alcaraz) and sang Italy's anthem proudly. He plans 2-3 days off before Madrid; Alcaraz committed to the full clay swing (Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros) to defend 3300 points.
