Carlo Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic congratulate Jannik Sinner after Monte Carlo triumph

Sinner defeated Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-3 in Sunday's final to claim the prestigious title for the first time at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The 24-year-old's win - his maiden clay-court Masters 1000 crown - also saw him move back to world No 1, overtaking Alcaraz in the rankings.

Having already triumphed in Indian Wells and Miami to complete the Sunshine Double last month, Sinner became only the second player to win the first three Masters events of a season, matching Novak Djokovic's 2015 feat.

The run also extended his dominance at Masters level, with four consecutive titles dating back to his 2025 Paris Masters success.

In an Instagram post after his win, Sinner - who resides in Monaco - wrote: "Grazie!!!! It's like a dream."

Alcaraz replied in the comments: "Well deserved Jannik".

Djokovic, who was absent from Monte Carlo, posted: "Molto forte (very strong). Bravo Jannik."

Former world No 9 Fabio Fognini, who retired after Wimbledon last year, also sent a light-hearted message to his compatriot.

"It was time... At least you won a tournament like mine. BRAVO," wrote Fognini.

After the final at the Monte Carlo Country Club, Sinner reflected on a testing encounter in windy conditions.

"It was a good match from him and also from my side.

"Small things where he is gonna improve, for sure, for the next match against me, and I have to be ready for that. But now I also want to enjoy this moment.

"It was a very strange match, because it was very windy. The conditions were not warm, which, you know, the ball is less bouncy that [makes it] a little bit easier to play tennis in general.

"I think I was serving well in the important moments in the first set. In the tiebreak, I was very, very accurate. And in the second set was up and down a little bit from both [of us].

"We both were slightly tired, because, you know, at the end of the tournament it's normal that you feel this way. A lot of tension for both of us."

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