Alcaraz wins Monte Carlo — then parties with the ball kids

Love-Love Letter #2 | April 11-13

Your tennis cheat sheet — for fans who like the game, but don’t want to live on Tennis Twitter.

🌍 Where in the World Are We?

European clay is officially the main character. The rallies are longer, the slides are grittier, and everyone’s adjusting their game (and laundry routines).

[ATP 1000] Monte-Carlo Masters (Monaco):
One of the biggest non-Slam stops on the men’s tour wrapped this weekend, serving up red clay drama and Mediterranean flair.
📌 What happened: Carlos Alcaraz clinched his first Monte Carlo title on Sunday, dropping just one set all week and running away with the final. Zverev, Sinner, and Medvedev? All gone before the weekend. Mayhem.

[WTA 250] Rouen Open (France):
Indoor clay (yes, that exists) returns this week with a lineup that’s heavy on momentum players.
📌 What’s happening: Starting today — Elina Svitolina, Sofia Kenin, and Emma Raducanu are all in the draw — and all looking to build form before the bigger Euro clay stops. Keep an eye on this one if you’re scouting for comeback stories.

[WTA 500] Stuttgart (Germany):
This one’s loaded. Eleven of the top 20 women are in the field, including Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula.
📌 What’s happening: Starting today — with Porsche keys up for grabs, don’t be surprised if the intensity hits Grand Slam levels.

[ATP 500] Barcelona Open (Spain):
The Spanish clay continues — and so does the Alcaraz tour.
📌 What’s happening: Starting today — Carlos is the top seed and local hero. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, and a few upset-minded wildcards round out a stacked draw that’s about to get spicy.

[ATP 250] BMW Open (Munich, Germany):
A chill vibe with not-so-chill talent.
📌 What’s happening: Starting today — Zverev headlines on home soil, with Ben Shelton, Holger Rune, and others looking to crash the party (and maybe drive off in the sponsored car).

✅ Results You Should Know

Carlos Alcaraz def. Lorenzo Musetti – 3-6, 6-1, 6-0
Final, Monte-Carlo Masters (ATP 1000)
💡 Why it matters: Alcaraz just added Monte Carlo to his growing Masters 1000 trophy shelf. After a slow first set, he steamrolled Musetti with jaw-dropping shotmaking and relentless pressure. He’s now back to No.2 in the world and looks very ready for the clay season.

Lorenzo Musetti def. Alex de Minaur – 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(4)
Semifinal, Monte-Carlo Masters
💡 Why it matters: Musetti reached his first Masters 1000 final with a gutsy comeback over de Minaur. The Italian showcased resilience and flair, signaling his rising status on the clay circuit.

Carlos Alcaraz def. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina – 7-6(2), 6-4
Semifinal, Monte-Carlo Masters
💡 Why it matters: Alcaraz battled past fellow Spaniard Davidovich Fokina in a tight match, demonstrating his mental toughness and adaptability on clay.

📰 Off-Court Happenings

Carlos Alcaraz celebrated with the ball kids.
After winning Monte Carlo, he didn’t just raise a trophy — he joined the ball crew for a full-on sideline celebration. Call it charisma. Call it marketing genius. Call it a very good vibe.

The PTPA says: “See? Told you.”
After last week’s player letter demanding more Slam transparency, the Djokovic-backed union is stepping in to amplify the pressure. They weren’t behind the letter, but they’re treating it like Exhibit A in their case for reform.

🔥 Can’t-Miss Highlights

🎥 Alcaraz vs. Musetti: Insane Rally Reel
This final was a full-blown clay-court masterclass. Three moments that absolutely deserve your screen time:

• 2:18 – Musetti rips a down-the-line backhand return winner off an Alcaraz serve

• 2:28 – A 19-shot rally with bananas counterpunching from both sides

• 5:28 – Alcaraz slips, recovers, and still pulls off a filthy passing shot

📆 What to Watch For

[ATP 500] Barcelona Open (Spain):

👀 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. Stan Wawrinka – Monday, April 15 at 2:30 PM local / 8:30 AM ET
A generational clash between Spain's dynamic shot-maker and the Swiss veteran. Expect flair and firepower on the red dirt.

👀 Matteo Arnaldi vs. Sebastian Korda – Monday, April 15 at 1:00 PM local / 7:00 AM ET
Italy's rising star faces the smooth-striking American in a battle of next-gen talents. A potential clay-court classic in the making.

[WTA 500] Stuttgart Open (Germany):

👀 Clara Tauson vs. Anastasia Potapova – Monday, April 15 at 3:00 PM local / 9:00 AM ET
Denmark's powerful baseliner takes on the crafty Russian in a compelling contrast of styles. Indoor clay adds an extra twist.

👀 Diana Shnaider vs. Veronika Kudermetova – Monday, April 15 at 12:30 PM local / 6:30 AM ET
An all-Russian affair featuring Shnaider's aggressive play against Kudermetova's consistency. A test of nerves and shot selection.

📬  From lucky socks to water bottle choreography — who’s the most superstitious player on tour? (We’ve got receipts.)