Carlos Alcaraz is in Paris preparing for the final Masters 1000 event of 2025.
The Spaniard, who practiced with Shanghai Masters finalist Arthur Rinderknech on Saturday, is aiming to win a third straight ATP title following successes at the US Open and Japan Open.
Alcaraz has the opportunity to earn up to 910 ATP points in Paris this year after falling at the round of 16 stage in 2024.
The 22-year-old has never won the tournament – his best result was a quarter-final appearance in 2022.
However, this year, something significant has changed at the Paris Masters, a change that could work in Alcaraz’s favour.
Carlos Alcaraz likes the slower court speeds at the 2025 Paris Masters
The court speeds have been a hot topic of conversation in 2025, with both Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev suggesting tournament directors have slowed down court speeds to increase the chances of the biggest names – Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner – reaching finals.
Jannik Sinner has pushed back on this sentiment, while Taylor Fritz has also claimed the courts have been slowed down in 2025.
Speaking ahead of his first match in Paris, Carlos Alcaraz said the courts are slower at the Masters 1000 event than they were in 2024.
“Well, I mean, this year is totally different than last year. I think it is a huge difference, which I like it,” Alcaraz told reporters in Paris.
“You know, the speed of the court, yeah, it’s much slower than last year, but I think it is a really good speed that we can see tennis, not only serve or it’s not only serve plus one.
“So you can see rallies, you can see points, you can see tennis. So I think it’s great. Obviously, I’ve said many times that I like, you know, slower courts, not that fast.”
Alcaraz also commented on his past struggles in Paris, adding: “But yeah, we will see. Yeah, obviously this tournament is not my best one in terms of results, but I love playing here.
“The time of the year, you know, it’s been long with the indoor. 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 go farther than previous years.”
Alcaraz has a very tough draw in Paris, one that could see him face Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot in the third round.
Carlos Alcaraz’s record in Paris
The Paris Masters is one of the three Masters 1000 tournaments Carlos Alcaraz has not won.
In 2021, Alcaraz lost to Frenchman Hugo Gaston. In 2022, he produced his best result – he reached the quarter-final stage before retiring against Holger Rune.
The Spaniard lost in the second round to Russian Roman Safiullin in 2023, and in the third round to Ugo Humbert in 2024.
| Year | Round | Opponent |
| 2021 | Third Round | Hugo Gaston |
| 2022 | Quarter-final | Holger Rune |
| 2023 | Second Round | Roman Safiullin |
| 2024 | Third Round | Ugo Humbert |
The other two Masters 1000 tournaments Alcaraz has not won are the Canadian Open and Shanghai Masters.
