Today marks the start of the 2025 Paris Masters: A major advantage for Alcaraz?

Carlos Alcaraz frankly admits that he still hasn’t fully "decoded" the secret to competing on indoor courts. Nevertheless, the change in venue for this year’s Paris Masters could offer the Spanish player a significant advantage.

Carlitos has won a total of 24 ATP Tour singles titles, but only one of them took place at an indoor event — the Rotterdam Open in February this year, ending a long-standing dry spell. Still, his results at major indoor tournaments remain quite inconsistent.

At the ATP Finals, Alcaraz’s best achievement was reaching the semifinals in 2023; the year before, he was knocked out right after the group stage. At the Paris Masters, he made it to the quarterfinals in 2022 but was eliminated in the second round in 2023 and the third round in 2024. However, Alcaraz hopes to make a turning point at this year’s Paris Masters after the tournament moved from Bercy Arena to the more modern, multi-purpose Paris La Défense Arena.

As one of the first stars to arrive in Paris to prepare for the season-ending Masters, the world number one quickly had the chance to get familiar with the new court and expressed great satisfaction.

"This year is completely different from last year. I think the difference is huge, and I like that (laughs)," Alcaraz said. "The court speed is much slower this year, but I believe this is the perfect pace for fans to watch longer rallies, not just quick serves followed by immediate points. You can see rallies and beautiful points — that’s real tennis. I always say I prefer courts to be a bit slower."