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Jannik Sinner keeps winning streak against No. 1s going with latest victory over Alcaraz

He's now won his last four matches in a row—and six of his last seven matches—against reigning world No. 1s.

By John Berkok
Italy's Jannik Sinner kisses the trophy as he celebrates after winning the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final tennis match against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on Court Rainier III at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, south-eastern France on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)
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Jannik Sinner achieved a lot by winning the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters title on Sunday—it was his eighth career Masters 1000 title, his 14th “big” title and the 27th overall title of his career.

It was also the biggest clay-court title of his career, and by a long way, his only previous triumph on the surface coming at an ATP 250-level tournament in Umag, Croatia back in 2022.

But how he did it was also notable, rallying from early breaks down at 2-0 in the first set and 3-1 in the second set to defeat world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the final, 7-6 (5), 6-3.

And that continued a very impressive trend: Sinner has now won his last four matches in a row against reigning world No. 1s.

Jannik Sinner wins first 2026 meeting with Carlos Alcaraz | Monte Carlo highlights3:54

The Italian has also won six of his last seven matches against reigning world No. 1s, and six of eight overall. That includes a 3-0 record against Alcaraz while the Spaniard is at the top spot.

JANNIK SINNER VS REIGNING WORLD NO. 1s (6-2):

  • l. to No. 1 Djokovic in '21 Monte Carlo 2nd Rd, 6-4, 6-2
  • d. No. 1 Alcaraz in '23 Miami SFs, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2
  • d. No. 1 Djokovic in '23 ATP Finals RR, 7-5, 6-7, 7-6
  • l. to No. 1 Djokovic in '23 ATP Finals F, 6-3, 6-3
  • d. No. 1 Djokovic in '23 Davis Cup SFs, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5
  • d. No. 1 Djokovic in '24 Australian Open SFs, 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3
  • d. No. 1 Alcaraz in '25 ATP Finals F, 7-6, 7-5
  • d. No. 1 Alcaraz in '26 Monte Carlo F, 7-6, 6-3

The icing on the cake for Sinner? He’ll now return to No. 1 himself.

He’ll kick off his 67th career week at the top spot on Monday, breaking a tie with Alcaraz—who’s currently at 66 career weeks—for 12th-most career weeks there in ATP rankings history.

The No. 1 ranking could exchange hands again in the coming weeks, though, as Alcaraz is only defending finals points in Barcelona this week, having finished runner-up to Holger Rune at the ATP 500 event last year. Looking even further ahead, neither Sinner nor Alcaraz even played in Madrid last year.

Stay tuned to Tennis.com for all the latest on the battle for No. 1!