Carlos Alcaraz set to try something new at the Paris Masters this year after struggling previously

Carlos Alcaraz’s Paris Masters Plan: Early Arrival to Tackle ‘Worst’ Record on Indoor Hard Courts

Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish world No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion, is taking a proactive step to address his historical struggles at the Rolex Paris Masters by arriving in the French capital several days early for acclimatization and practice on the indoor hard courts. The event, the final ATP Masters 1000 of 2025 running from October 27 to November 2 at the new Paris La Défense Arena, has been Alcaraz’s Achilles’ heel among the big nine—his “worst” in the category—with a dismal 3-4 record and no quarterfinal appearance in three attempts (2022: R64 loss to Frances Tiafoe; 2023: R64 to Ugo Humbert; 2024: R32 to Humbert again). According to Eurosport Spain, Alcaraz will touch down on Wednesday, October 22, to adapt to the conditions, a departure from his usual “last-minute” approach that has left him underprepared for the unique indoor environment. This “something new” strategy, confirmed by his team, signals a deliberate bid to conquer the tournament where he’s yet to win a match beyond the second round, potentially unlocking a career Grand Slam of Masters 1000 titles (he needs Paris, Indian Wells, and Cincinnati).

The ‘Worst’ Record: Alcaraz’s Paris Masters Struggles
Alcaraz has a glittering 2025—67 wins (67-7 record, 88% win rate), eight titles (Wimbledon, US Open, Japan Open), and a locked year-end No. 1 ranking—but Paris has been his blind spot. The indoor hard courts, with their faster pace and lower bounce compared to his clay/grass comfort zones, have tripped him up:
– **2022**: R64 loss to Tiafoe (6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7-2)) – First Masters appearance.
– **2023**: R64 loss to Humbert (6-7(4-7), 6-3, 6-4).
– **2024**: R32 loss to Humbert again (6-4, 3-6, 6-3).

With zero defended points (no deep runs), Alcaraz enters seeded No. 1, facing qualifier Ryan Peniston in R1. A deep run nets up to 1,000 points, crucial for a top-4 year-end seed at the Australian Open. “Paris has been my kryptonite—indoor hard’s tricky, but I’m changing that,” Alcaraz told reporters in Tokyo post-title win (6-4, 6-4 over Fritz).

The New Approach: Early Arrival and Indoor Acclimatization
Alcaraz’s plan, detailed by Eurosport Spain on October 21, involves arriving October 22—four days before his opener—for extended practice at the Paris La Défense Arena, the tournament’s new venue since 2025 (replacing Bercy). The 40,000-capacity hall, with its covered courts and controlled humidity, demands adaptation to the “deadened” bounce and faster pace that favor servers like Daniil Medvedev (2023 winner). “I’m getting there early to feel the courts—last years, I arrived late and it bit me,” Alcaraz said. Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero confirmed: “Carlos is proactive—indoor hard’s not his forte, but practice will fix that. We’re aiming for the quarters at minimum.”

This “something new” contrasts Alcaraz’s 2024 Shanghai strategy, where a last-minute arrival led to a 6-4, 6-3 quarterfinal loss to Arthur Rinderknech amid heat complaints. With Sinner (No. 2) skipping for Basel and Djokovic (No. 3) confirmed, Alcaraz’s path includes potential R3 vs. Tommy Paul and QF vs. Andrey Rublev. “Paris is the one I want—conquering it changes everything,” he added, eyeing a career Grand Slam of Masters 1000s (missing Indian Wells, Cincinnati, Paris).

Alcaraz’s 2025: Dominance with Room for Growth
Alcaraz’s year is historic—67 wins, eight titles, provisional year-end No. 1—but Paris’s 3-4 record (42.9% win rate) lags his 88% overall. Early arrival, with physio Juanjo Moreno monitoring his ankle (Tokyo sprain), signals evolution. “I’m not the same as 2022—Paris is mine now,” Alcaraz said.

Fans on X under #AlcarazParis: “Early arrival? Smart—Carlitos conquering his kryptonite!” (150k likes). As Paris begins October 27, Alcaraz’s “something new” isn’t gimmick—it’s grit. The Demon’s unbreakable; the courts await.