Alcaraz Energized and Ready to Conquer Paris: ‘This Year Feels Completely Different’
World No. 1, returns to action after a three-week hiatus, sets sights on his Paris ambitions.
October 25, 2025
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz discusses his plans at the Rolex Paris Masters.
By Jerome Coombe
Carlos Alcaraz is yet to claim the coveted title at the Rolex Paris Masters, but the reigning World No. 1 is confident that this season could be a game changer.
After stepping back from the Shanghai tournament and taking over three weeks to recuperate his left ankle, Alcaraz arrives in Paris revitalized, and as he puts it, in the best shape he’s been in at this point in the season.
“Withdrawing from Shanghai was not my choice. It’s a significant event for me and all players,” Alcaraz stated during his pre-tournament press conference on Saturday in Paris. “I needed time to heal my body, and I knew I wasn’t fit to compete back-to-back tournaments. It was essential for me to return home, recover my ankle, and prepare for this pivotal time of year.”
“If we look back to last year and the year before, I often didn’t feel fresh at this stage. So, I focused on being in prime condition, practicing effectively, and arriving here with the mindset to achieve outstanding results. Right now, I feel physically robust and have been training well.”
Alcaraz boasts a 5-4 record in Paris, noted in the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, with his top result being a quarter-final appearance in 2022, where he lost to eventual champion Holger Rune. Although indoor courts have traditionally presented challenges, the 22-year-old Spaniard made significant progress earlier this year by securing his inaugural indoor title in Rotterdam.
This week, players have remarked that the speed of the courts at the new La Défense Arena has noticeably slowed down, a welcome change for Alcaraz.
“This year is a stark contrast to the previous one, and I genuinely appreciate it,” Alcaraz said with a grin. “The court speed is much more gradual compared to last year, allowing for more rallies and dynamic gameplay instead of just serve-and-volley.”
“I’ve always expressed a preference for slower surfaces over fast ones. Although this tournament hasn’t been my best in terms of results, I thoroughly enjoy competing here. While I’m still adjusting to indoor play, I feel I’m becoming more comfortable with it year after year. Let’s see how it goes; hopefully, I’ll advance further than in past years.”
Alcaraz is set to kick off his journey against either Cameron Norrie or Sebastian Baez and may encounter Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals. Already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals, he’s striving to fortify his bid to reclaim the ATP Year-End No. 1 title for the second time.
Alcaraz leads his rival Jannik Sinner, who is set to compete against Alexander Zverev in the Vienna final on Sunday, by over 2,000 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. The duo has clashed in the final of their last five mutual tournaments.
When it comes to his indoor performance, Alcaraz maintains a realistic yet positive outlook.
“I wouldn’t label myself as poor at playing indoors. I just think there are others who have a stronger indoor game than I do,” Alcaraz remarked. “It’s a significant difference to say that. When I’ve practiced and played matches, I see I can deliver great tennis.”
“However, I’ve faced opponents who excel indoors, so I need to stay prepared for that challenge. But I’m optimistic that I can produce quality tennis on indoor courts.”
