Carlos Alcaraz is planning to play a full clay schedule - Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros. It's a demanding run for the world No. 2, spanning eight weeks, and Alcaraz has already had a quick turnaround from the Monte Carlo Masters to the Barcelona Open, as he plays his opening match in Barcelona just 48 hours after losing the final in Monaco.

The Spanish star also planned to play all five events last year, but was forced to miss the Madrid Open when he picked up an injury in the Barcelona Open final and lost to Holger Rune. And Alcaraz has now hinted that he could also skip a tournament this year, as he must listen to his body to avoid any setbacks.

Should Alcaraz make it to the final in Barcelona, he will have played 10 matches in 13 days, starting with his opening round in Monte Carlo a week ago. But he's planning to take things day by day as he progresses through the clay season.

"I'll take it one day at a time, listening to my body and my team. From there, I'll make the best possible decision," Alcaraz explained after arriving in Barcelona just one day after his Monte Carlo Masters defeat. "For now, we're excited and eager to do everything we can to endure the entire clay court season."

The world No. 2 also knows that he is at a disadvantage in Barcelona, where he has had little time to prepare for his first-round clash with qualifier Otto Virtanen on Tuesday afternoon.

But Alcaraz has plenty of experience - he also played every match possible across these two tournaments in 2025, winning the Monte Carlo Masters and finishing runner-up at the Barcelona Open.

"Not having trained is a slight disadvantage, but tomorrow I'll try to get into the best possible shape. Today is a quiet day, he said on Monday. "Last year, I arrived a bit tired, and then I suddenly got injured in the final. We're going to do things in the best way possible to play here, in Madrid, and in the upcoming tournaments."

Alcaraz also has some extra motivation this week. He lost the world No. 1 ranking to his biggest rival, Jannik Sinner, after a defeat in the Monte Carlo final. But he sits just 110 points behind the Italian and can immediately return to the top if he lifts the trophy in Barcelona.

He added: "Being No. 1 in Barcelona is extra motivation. I know I have to win here if I want to get it back. The battle I'm having with Jannik is great. But what I'm focused on is continuing to improve."

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