World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz says it “feels amazing” to be back on clay as he prepares for Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome ahead of his Roland Garros title defence.
The Spaniard, who won Monte Carlo and Rome last year, has never played a full clay campaign. “It’s time to get the dirty socks again,” he joked after practice in Monaco.
Alcaraz will open against Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez, hoping to face the retiring Swiss before season’s end.
With clay his favourite surface, Alcaraz is determined to arrive in Paris battle-ready — and with plenty of dirt on his socks.
