Alcaraz Eyes Paris Breakthrough After Restorative Break: ‘This Year is Totally Different’
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A refreshed Carlos Alcaraz believes a strategic break and favorable court conditions could finally lead to a title at the rolex Paris Masters,setting the stage for a strong finish to the season and a renewed push for the Year-End No. 1 ranking. The Spaniard, recovering from a left ankle injury, addressed the media on Saturday, expressing optimism about his physical and mental state as he prepares to compete in Paris.Alcaraz, who has a 5-4 record at the tournament, is aiming to improve upon his previous best result – a quarter-final appearance in 2022.
“Obviously I didn’t want to withdraw from shanghai,” Alcaraz stated. “It’s a really important tournament for me and for the players, 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.”
The decision to prioritize recovery appears to have paid dividends.Alcaraz acknowledged past struggles with fatigue at this point in the season, but feels markedly different this 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.”
Adapting to Indoor Play and a Slower Court
Historically, indoor courts have presented a challenge for the Spaniard, but a recent title win in Rotterdam earlier this year signaled a turning point. This week in Paris,Alcaraz is benefiting from a noticeable change in court speed at the new venue,La Défense Arena.
“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 indeed 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.” He reiterated his preference for slower surfaces, stating, “I’ve said many times that I like slower courts, not that fast.”
While acknowledging his evolving comfort level with indoor play,Alcaraz remains realistic about the competition. “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.”
Turin Contention and Upcoming Matches
Alcaraz begins his Paris campaign against either Cameron Norrie or Sebastian Baez, with a potential quarter-final clash against Casper Ruud looming. Already securing his spot in the Nitto ATP Finals, he is focused on bolstering his lead in the PIF ATP live Race To Turin and reclaiming the Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honors.
Currently, alcaraz holds a commanding lead of over 2,000 points over his rival, Jannik Sinner, who is competing in the Vienna final on Sunday.The two have consistently met in championship matches, having contested the final of the last five tournaments in which they both participated.
Despite his success, Alcaraz acknowledges the strengths of other players on indoor courts. “I wouldn’t say I’m bad [at] playing indoors. I think other players are better than me indoors,” he conceded. “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].”
Alcaraz’s renewed focus on physical preparation and the favorable conditions in Paris suggest a strong showing is within reach, perhaps marking a pivotal moment in his quest for year-end dominance.
