# Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz is eager to get his socks dirty on clay again as he returns to his preferred surface in Monaco to build momentum for his French Open title defence. Alcaraz won his fifth Grand Slam title by beating Jannik Sinner in an epic final at Roland Garros last June, adding to his 2025 clay court triumphs in Monte Carlo and Rome. He said winning the Monte Carlo title proved to be a turning point last season. Alcaraz will open his campaign against either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez in the second round.
Tennis: Alcaraz ready to get his socks dirty with return to clay