After a disappointing stint in America, Carlos Alcaraz will look to return to winning ways in Europe.
The Spaniard began the year in scintillating form, securing titles in Melbourne and Doha amid a 16-match winning run.
His progress was halted at the start of March by Daniil Medvedev, who defeated the Spaniard in the Indian Wells semi-finals.
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A week later, Alcaraz was stunned by Sebastian Korda in the Miami Open third round.
Ahead of the clay-court swing, Alcaraz has enlisted the help of a Spanish youngster as he prepares for his first stop in Monte Carlo.
Carlos Alcaraz trains with Martin Landaluce ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters
Martin Landaluce, a rising star on the ATP Tour, has been training with Carlos Alcaraz in Murcia ahead of the clay-court swing.
The 19-year-old Spaniard posted a picture on his Instagram story showing the pair practicing together on the red dirt at the Real Murcia Club de Tenis.
Landaluce recently announced himself on the world stage, defeating Luciano Darderi, Karen Khachanov and Sebastian Korda on his way to the Miami Open quarter-finals.
Remarkably, the Spaniard advanced further than Carlos Alcaraz did in Miami. Alcaraz, the top seed, was defeated by Korda in the third round.
| Stage | Round | Opponent | Score |
| Qualifying | Q1 | Mackenzie McDonald | 6–3, 6–4 |
| Q2 | Thiago Agustín Tirante | 3–6, 7–5, 6–4 | |
| Main Draw | R1 | Marcos Giron | 6–3, 7–6 |
| R2 | Luciano Darderi | 6–3, 6–7, 6–4 | |
| R3 | Karen Khachanov | 6–3, 7–6 | |
| R4 | Sebastian Korda | 2–6, 7–6, 6–4 | |
| QF | Jiří Lehečka | 6-7, 5-7 |
Landaluce, a former US Open junior champion, will not be competing in Monte Carlo.
The Spaniard was ranked 151st on the ATP Tour when the player list was finalised, and as a consequence, he is an alternate for the qualifying draw.
It is unlikely that Landaluce will take part in the event, even if there are some withdrawals. This is because the Spaniard is the 34th alternate.
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Carlos Alcaraz’s advice for Martin Landaluce
Speaking to the ATP Tour in 2024, Landaluce detailed the advice Alcaraz gave him regarding managing the intense pressure of a large online following.
Landaluce said: “I was asking him [Alcaraz], ‘How do you manage to be with one million [followers], or all of your country above you, watching you, saying, ‘You have to be this, or you have to be this number’.’ It’s very difficult.
“He was very nice because he managed that very naturally. That’s special and I try to be like him in that, because it’s very important.”
Landaluce went on to reveal the advice Alcaraz had offered him, saying: “Try to be part of Instagram, social media, only with your family and that will get rid of [a lot of] expectation.”
Alcaraz and Landaluce share a special history.
In 2022, Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, while Landaluce captured the Boys Singles title.
Spaniard Martin de la Puente [pictured above, far left] also won the Wheelchair Doubles title alongside Nicola Peifer.
After their triumphs, all three players were invited to meet King Felipe VI of Spain.