Rolex Paris Masters: “I’ve been chasing this moment for a long time,” relishes Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz is on his way to breaking the curse. The Spanish prodigy, who had never gone beyond the quarters in five appearances at the Paris Masters 1000, will play his first final of the Parisian end-of-season meeting against Ben Shelton on Sunday. “It means a lot, to be honest. This is a tournament in which I have always struggled during my career. So far, my best result was a quarter, without playing my best tennis or having my best feelings. So, reaching the final is obviously a great satisfaction. I've been chasing this moment for a long time. Here, I lost a lot of matches in the first rounds, which I'm not used to. Really painful defeats. »

There was the entry failure against Cameron Norrie last season, and especially the defeat against Hugo Gaston in the round of 16 in 2021. Ancient history. After his stunning victory the day before against Taylor Fritz, the seven-time Grand Slam winner mastered Casper Ruud without trembling this Saturday to sign his eighth victory in a row indoors, after his title in Vienna: “I am therefore very happy with the tennis I am producing this week, but especially with my state of mind. I will repeat it, and this week makes me understand it even more: the mind is one of the keys to playing at your best level. Tomorrow I will enter the court trying to enjoy every second. »

I will need maximum reflexes to succeed in returning his services.

Carlos Alcaraz