Alcaraz at the Rolex Paris Masters: “I’m motivated to win this tournament, I’m much better than last year”

Now that Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Rolex Paris Masters because of an illness, Carlos Alcaraz is the highest ranked player in the draw and ultimately a favourite to win his first Masters 1000 title indoors.

“It’s always hard to compare your tennis year to year, but I am in a much better state mentally,” Alcaraz said to Tennis Majors after defeating Nicolas Jarry in his opening round (7-5, 6-1).

“I do want to play at my best level at this part of the season. It was difficult for me in 2023 to stay good mentally. It’s totally different now. I’m motivated to win this tournament, to make good results. Last year the court was probably slower but it’s difficult to compare.”

Alcaraz on Sinner : “Not good news”

Alcaraz regrets that Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal prevents the tournament from having a final between the two best players of 2024 and a remake of their incredible battle in Beijing one month ago, won by Alcaraz.

“It’s never good news when the best player in the world withdraws from a tournament,” the Spaniard said. “I wouldn’t meet him before the final but I love to see him playing as a tennis fan. Probably the players in his part of the draw are happy but it’s not good news to my eyes.”

Alcaraz’s win against Jarry was his first on an indoor court in 2024 and the first one at Paris Bercy since a win against Grigor Dimitrov in 2022.

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