Carlos Alcaraz trains with Spanish prospect ahead of Monte Carlo Masters return

Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to get back on track in Europe after a challenging stretch in the US.

He got his season off to a fast start, picking up titles in both Melbourne and Doha as part of a 16-match unbeaten streak.

That run was ended by Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells semi-finals, who had also beaten Alcaraz at the same stage 12 months earlier.

A week later, Sebastian Korda caused another upset, knocking him out in the third round of the Miami Open.

As he looks ahead to the clay season, Alcaraz has brought in a young Spanish player to join his camp as he gets ready for Monte Carlo.

Alcaraz spotted training with Landaluce before Monte Carlo Masters

Martin Landaluce, one of Spain’s emerging young talents, has been working alongside Carlos Alcaraz in Murcia ahead of the upcoming clay-court season.

The 19-year-old posted a photo to his Instagram Story showing the pair practicing together on the red dirt at Real Murcia Club de Tenis.

Landaluce has quickly raised his profile on tour, defeating Luciano Darderi, Karen Khachanov and Sebastian Korda en route to a surprising quarter-final run at the Miami Open.

He also outperformed Alcaraz at that event. The Spaniard was eliminated by Korda in the third round as the top seed.

Landaluce isn’t expected to play in Monte Carlo this year. When entries were finalised, he was outside the cut line at 151st in the ATP rankings and currently sits as an alternate for qualifying.

Even if there are withdrawals leading up to the tournament, his position as 34th alternate means he’ll almost certainly remain on standby rather than in the draw.

Advice Carlos Alcaraz gave to Martin Landaluce

Speaking to the ATP Tour in 2024, Landaluce spoke about how Alcaraz advised him on dealing with the pressure that comes with a growing social media presence.

“I was asking him [Alcaraz], ‘How do you manage to be with one million [followers], or all of your country above you, watching you, saying, ‘You have to be this, or you have to be this number’.’ It’s very difficult,” Landaluce said.

“He was very nice because he managed that very naturally. That’s special and I try to be like him in that, because it’s very important.”

Landaluce added: “Try to be part of Instagram, social media, only with your family and that will get rid of [a lot of] expectation.”

The pair have more than just a training partnership; they share an interesting connection from their junior days. Back in 2022, when Alcaraz claimed his first Grand Slam title at the US Open.

Landaluce won the Boys’ Singles title at Flushing Meadows. Spaniard Martin de la Puente also took home silverware by winning the Wheelchair Doubles title alongside Nicolas Peifer.

Their successes didn’t go unnoticed. All three players were invited for a meeting with King Felipe VI of Spain after their wins.

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