Jannik Sinner took over top spot in the men’s tennis rankings on Monday after beating world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Issued on: 13/04/2026 - 12:58

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The 24-year-old Italian won 7-6, 6-3 on Sunday to become the first man since Novak Djokovic in 2015 to lift the first three of the season’s most coveted tournaments on the circuit after the Grand Slam events in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.

In March, Sinner claimed Masters 1000 titles at Indian Wells and Miami in the United States.

The victory over Alcaraz also gave Sinner his most prestigious trophy on clay courts following his title at Umag in Croatia in 2022.

Alcaraz went into the final on Cout Rainier III as the defending champion. He took Sinner's opening service game to lead 2-0.

But Sinner recovered the deficit and pocketed the opening set after 74 minutes when Alcaraz served a double faut at set point down.

Alcaraz also led by a break of serve early in the second and was ahead 3-2 before Sinner reeled off four games on the trot to wrest the title from the 22-year-old Spaniard and dethrone him as the ATP circuit's top dog.

"I'm surprised in a very good way," Sinner said after his win in two hours and 15 minutes.

"We did it day by day in Monte Carlo trying to understand what the best style is against every opponent, because I haven't played the same kind of tennis against everyone.

"It means a lot to me and I'll need a bit of time to realise what happened."

French Open heroes Alcaraz and Sinner start their hunts for glory at Wimbledon

Sinner became world number one for the first time in June 2024 and stayed at the pinnacle of the sport for 65 weeks before Alcaraz replaced him in September 2025.

Alcaraz remained there for two months before Sinner knocked him off the perch for a week in November 2025.

Alcaraz ruled until Sunday’s defeat.

"We've seen Jannik's level on clay and I think he's been improving a lot year by year," said Alcaraz who saved three match points on his way to victory over Sinner at the 2025 French Open in Paris.

"He's reaching a level on clay that's going to be really dangerous for everybody."

Elsewhere in the men’s rankings following Monte Carlo, there is no change for Alexander Zverev and Djokovic, who stay at three and four respectively.

Arthur Rinderknech rises one place to 26 to maintain his status as the highest ranked Frenchman.

As for his compatriots, Arthur Fils drops two places to 30 while Corentin Moutet and Ugo Humbert lie just behind him at 31 and 34 respectively.