Alcaraz eyes Paris as season’s turning point
Recovered from an ankle injury that sidelined him in Shanghai, Carlos Alcaraz enters the Paris Masters with fresh legs and a sharpened focus, ready to conquer indoor challenges and solidify his grip on year-end No. 1.
In the humming anticipation of La Défense Arena, Carlos Alcaraz strides onto the practice courts with a spring in his step, his left ankle finally cooperating after more than three weeks of rest. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who skipped Shanghai to prioritize healing, arrives at the Paris Masters sensing a real shift—this could be the year he breaks through on a surface that has long tested him. His game, built on explosive footwork and versatile shot-making, thrives when his body allows full expression, and right now, that freedom feels within reach.
Overcoming end-of-year drain
Alcaraz’s withdrawal from Shanghai was a calculated move, one that underscores his growing maturity in managing a punishing schedule. He returned home to recover, focusing on rebuilding strength for the indoor swing where past seasons left him fatigued and vulnerable. This break has paid dividends; he reports hitting with crisp precision and moving without restraint, a stark contrast to the weariness that marked his arrivals here in previous years.
His Paris ledger sits at 5-4, with a quarterfinal finish in 2022 as the highlight, where he fell to eventual champion Holger Rune. Indoor hard courts demand quick adjustments to the contained bounce and faster pace, often favoring big servers who rely on aces and one–two combinations. Yet Alcaraz‘s first indoor title in Rotterdam earlier this year showed his adaptability, using crosscourt depth to set up inside-out forehands that wrong-footed opponents.
“Obviously I didn’t want to withdraw from Shanghai. it’s a really important tournament for me and for the players,” Alcaraz said in his pre-tournament press conference on Saturday in Paris. “But I had to heal my body, and I think I wasn’t ready to play another tournament in a row. So I just preferred to come back home, recover the ankle, and try to be in good shape for this time of the year.
“I think we could see last year, two years ago, that I’m not coming fresh to this time of the year. So I really wanted to put more attention on that, being in good shape, practising well, and coming here, thinking that I can do a really good result. So right now, physically I’m feeling good. I just practised well, hitting the ball really well.”
Embracing the arena’s new rhythm
The move to La Défense Arena has introduced slower courts, a change that players have noted and Alcaraz embraces wholeheartedly. This moderation shifts the emphasis from rapid serve-volleys to sustained rallies, allowing his anticipation and spin variations to take center stage. He favors this setup, where points unfold through layered exchanges rather than quick finishes, giving him space to deploy underspin slices that skid low and disrupt aggressive returns.
While Paris has not been his strongest venue, he expresses genuine affection for the event, acknowledging his gradual acclimation to indoor play. Year by year, he has refined his approach, turning potential weaknesses into opportunities for tactical depth. The crowd’s energy, bouncing off the arena’s walls, adds to the intensity, fueling his drive as he visualizes deeper runs than before.
“This year is totally different than last year. I think it is a huge difference, which I like,” Alcaraz said with a smile. “The speed of the court is much slower than last year, but I think it is a really good speed that we can see tennis, not only serve and serve plus one; you can see rallies, you can see points, you can see tennis.
“I’ve said many times that I like slower courts, not that fast. This tournament is not my best one in terms of results, but I love playing here. I’m not really used to playing indoors, but year after year, I think I’m getting more used to it. So we will see this year. Hopefully [I] go farther than previous years.”
Chasing rankings amid key matchups
Alcaraz opens against either Cameron Norrie or Sebastian Baez, a first-round test where his renewed energy could overpower their baseline steadiness through varied angles and pace changes. A quarterfinal meeting with Casper Ruud presents a sterner challenge, matching his flair against the Norwegian’s heavy topspin and composure—conditions where down-the-line backhands might decide tight sets. These encounters highlight his evolution, demanding precise inside-in approaches to counter consistent returns.
Already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals, he leads rival Jannik Sinner by more than 2,000 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, even as the Italian faces Alexander Zverev in Vienna’s final on Sunday. Their clashes have defined recent title matches, a rivalry blending Alcaraz’s athletic bursts with Sinner’s unflinching accuracy. This cushion allows focus on performance over pressure, though a strong Paris showing would lock in his second year-end No. 1 ranking.
Alcaraz stays grounded about his indoor game, recognizing that some peers excel more naturally in these halls. He points to practice sessions where his tennis flows freely, blending rally construction with net rushes. As the draw progresses, his refreshed state positions him to navigate these hurdles, potentially transforming Paris into the late-season statement that cements his dominance.
“I wouldn’t say I’m bad [at] playing indoors. I think other players are better than me indoors,” added Alcaraz. “it’s a huge difference saying that. I see myself practising, playing matches that I can play really good tennis.
“But obviously there are some matches that I played against some that are playing much, much better indoors than I do. So I have to be ready for that, but I think I will get good tennis on indoor [courts].”
With every stroke in Paris carrying the weight of a season’s lessons, Alcaraz stands poised to extend rallies into triumphs, the arena’s pulse syncing with his ambition for a breakthrough week.
