Carlos Alcaraz proposes "half and half" deal for Tommy Paul once his custom 88-foot Sunreef catamaran is built

“Two long months ahead, but exciting ones.”

That’s the outlook a relaxed Carlos Alcaraz is taking, as his bid to back up one tremendous 2025 European clay-court season is officially underway.

Last year, the Spaniard went 22-1 during the stretch—beginning with his maiden triumph at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Back in Monaco, Alcaraz kicked off his title defense Tuesday with a 6-1, 6-3 dismissal of Sebastian Baez.

“I enjoy so much playing on clay. I miss it so much. For me, that’s the most important thing,” he told Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj on a non-match day Wednesday.

On the latest rankings, the 22-year-old tied Jannik Sinner with his 66th week as world No. 1. Alcaraz has virtually accepted the pole position will no longer be his in the near future, after his Italian rival closed the gap with a Sunshine Double sweep to give himself a shot at reclaiming it as early as next Monday.

“The No. 1 spot is not in my mind,” he asserted. “As I said yesterday, sooner or later, I’m gonna lose it because Jannik has some tournaments he doesn’t defend (points) at all and I have a lot to defend. So I will try to just focus on my tennis, to be good on the court.”

Where Alcaraz might be No. 1 for the long haul among his peers? Captain of the open water.

During the Miami Open, images emerged of the six-time major winner aboard a Sunreef Catamaran. While that boat wasn’t Alcaraz’s, the Murcia native has ordered his own custom Ultima 88 (the 88 signifying the length) from the luxury yachting brand.

“Mine, they’re gonna build it. It’s going to take one year, one year and a half. So I’m super excited about it,” he told Amritraj. “During the sea, everything is chill. My thing to disconnect from everything.”

To little surprise, the ATP’s resident deep sea fishing enthusiast was among the first to come calling.

Shared Alcaraz, “I saw Tommy Paul saying like…”

“He wants to get on there,” chimed in Amritraj.

“I better invite him. I will for sure,” declared Alcaraz. “But I’ll tell him you’re gonna take me out for fishing. Half and half, I’m gonna make a deal with him.”

For a place in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 event, the top seed next meets Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The Argentine rallied past Terence Atmane, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.