Article by Luminița Paul – Published on Sunday, April 12, 2026, 2:10 p.m. / Updated on Sunday, April 12, 2026, 2:13 p.m.
Italian Fabio Fognini (38, former world number 9), champion in Monte Carlo in 2019, prefaced this year's final in the Principality (4:00 p.m., live Digi Sport 2, Prima Sport 3), which will offer the first duel between Carlos Alcaraz (22, ATP No. 1) and Jannik Sinner (24, ATP No. 2) since 2026.
17th match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinnerbut the first of this season is destined to take place in the final in Monte Carlo, on clay, where the Spaniard is the titular champion. As for the Italian, he finds himself in this phase of the tournament in the Principality for the first time.
The balance of direct matches is of 10-6 in favor of Alcaraz, who has also 3-1 on clay, the most recent duel being at Roland Garros 2025, that extraterrestrial final. But what can be expected now? Fabio Fogniniofficially retired from tennis last year, winner at Monte Carlo in 2019offers his own perspective on today's clash between the two, but also on their rivalry as a whole.
“They are undoubtedly the strongest, and by a considerable margin. In terms of gameplay, tactical choices and fitness, they have a superiority that no one else can challenge at the moment”, said Fabio in an interview for Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Nowadays, when Jannik and Carlos face off, you have to expect a great balance. I saw that their matches are now decided by a few points: sometimes Jannik leads, sometimes Carlos, and thus they end up pushing each other”, he analyzed.
Fabio Fognini: “Their matches are fascinating”
Asked concretely about a prognosis for the final, the former world number 9 adopted a cautious stance. “An unpredictable final. Jannik might suffer a bit from the fatigue of the last five weeks at the highest level,” opines Fabio.
Their matches are fascinating, in part because of their different styles. Carlos undoubtedly has a few more options, but Sinner is incredibly solid – Fabio Fognini
“However, his wins in America have certainly given him enormous confidence and the crowd could be a factor in his favour. I hope that both of them will be in top form so that we can witness an exceptional show”, he rounded his prediction.
Fabio Fognini with the Monte Carlo 2019 trophy Photo: Guliver/GettyImages
Beyond the title itself, the world leader's position is at stake, the one in which a threatened Alcaraz finds himself after Sinner played so well in Indian Wells and Miami, where he prevailed. Both stated that this aspect does not matter so much, but Fognini believes that it is just a form of taking “a little bit of pressure off your shoulders.” Actually, it matters a lot.
“In their rivalry, being in front of each other adds to everyone's motivation. But I think the real goal, beyond the titles, is to be number one at the end of the season, because the players care a lot about that. In any case, it's clear that both Carlos and Jannik are number one: for six months it's one and for six months it's the other, a rotation we'll have to get used to,” assured the Italian.
Fabio Fognini: “The famous third? He doesn't exist at the moment”
But is there anyone in today's tennis capable of stepping into this two-man battle? “The famous third? He doesn't exist right now. Zverev is world number 3, he has been at a high level for a long time, but against Jannik and Carlos he always loses. I like Draper, but I don't know if he will return to his pre-injury form,” Fabio Fognini began to analyze.
“Musetti deserves all the credit because you don't become world No. 5 by accident. However, he is struggling to find his rhythm after the injury in Australia. The problem is that to compete with Jannik and Carlos you need a consistency of performance and results that no one else can match: they can lose in one tournament, but over the course of an entire season they are untouchable“, concluded the Italian.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the US Open 2025 final / Photo: Imago
Feliciano Lopez: “Their rivalry is a blessing for tennis”
In parallel, Feliciano Lopez (44 years old, former world number 12), invited to the Foro Internacional del Deporte in Segovia, also spoke about this extraordinary rivalry. The Madrid Masters 1000 tournament director pointed out that this contrast is a blessing for everyone.
“They are two extraordinary players. Their rivalry is a blessing for tennis. It was clear that Alcaraz and Sinner were the best, but that gap widened. Perhaps there is a lack of a “second tier” of players who can compete with them in a major tournament“, Feliciano Lopez thinks.
