Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 1, made headlines earlier this month when he withdrew from the Shanghai Masters. The decision came after a demanding stretch that included his title run in Tokyo and an exhibition appearance in Riyadh. Speaking ahead of the Paris Masters, Alcaraz explained that the withdrawal was necessary to prioritize his health and long-term performance.
“Obviously I didn’t want to withdraw from Shanghai. It’s a really important tournament for me and for the players,” — Carlos Alcaraz “But I had to heal my body, and I think I wasn’t ready to play another tournament in a row.”
The Spaniard returned home to recover and focus on training, aiming to arrive in Paris in peak condition.
Recovery and Readiness
Alcaraz’s decision to skip Shanghai was driven by a lingering ankle issue sustained during his campaign in Tokyo. He used the break to undergo treatment and recalibrate his training schedule. Now back on court, he reports feeling strong and confident.
“I preferred to return home, recover the ankle, and try to be in good shape.” — Carlos Alcaraz
His team emphasized that the recovery period was not only physical but also mental, allowing him to reset before the final stretch of the season.
Paris Masters: A Fresh Start
The Paris Masters has historically been a challenging tournament for Alcaraz, with previous appearances ending before the semifinals. This year, however, he arrives with renewed energy and a clear goal: to make a deep run and finish the season on a high note.
“This year is totally different. I feel very good physically, I’m training well and the ball is moving perfectly.”
— Carlos AlcarazHis draw includes potential matchups against top contenders like Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, making the path to the title anything but easy.
A Broader Conversation on Scheduling
Alcaraz’s comments also touched on the broader issue of player fatigue and the ATP calendar. With several stars—including Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas—pulling out of Paris due to injuries, the conversation around scheduling intensity has gained momentum.
“We need to find a balance between competition and recovery.” — Carlos Alcaraz
ATP Paris - Carlos Alcaraz's projected path
Alcaraz in Paris, ranking, and results in 2025
Ranked no.1, the Spaniard has an overall 67-7 record in 2025. Alcaraz is currently playing in Paris where he beat
Carlos Alcaraz will square off with the world no.31 Cameron Norrie in the 2nd round on Tuesday at 7:00 pm on COURT CENTRAL. Their actual head to head record is 5-2 for Alcaraz.
Alcaraz has won 8 titles in 2025 in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, Rome, French Open, London, Cincinnati, U.S. Open and Tokyo. The Spaniard got to the final in Barcelona (Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell) and in Wimbledon.
Alcaraz won 25 titles in his career: 8 on hard courts, 11 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)