Paris La Defense Arena will host this year's ninth and final Masters 1000 event. World no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will chase his first trophy at this event, and he likes what he sees so far in the French capital.
The six-time Major champion welcomed a new venue of the prestigious event and the updated surface. Carlos described the new arena as more comfortable for the players.
He also likes the slower surface in comparison to 12 months ago. Alcaraz believes that feature will provide more extended rallies and more entertaining duels for fans in the arena and in front of TV.
Paris remains one of the fastest surfaces in men's tennis. However, the conditions will be slower in comparison to last year, which should allow more balanced and tactical competition.
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The indoor events havehistorically challenged the El Palmar native. However, he has made improvements in previous years and conquered his first indoor crown in Rotterdam this February.
The 22-year-old feels more comfortable under theroof, adapting his aggressive baseline game and seeking more free points with his initial shot, a key feature in these conditions.
The young gun has been in Paris for a couple of days, working closely with Juan Carlos Ferrero to fine-tune his timing and movement in indoor conditions. Carlos will face Cameron Norrie or Sebastian Baez in the second round.
With the venue and court speed now more to his liking, the Spaniard awaits his first match with confidence, eager to make a deeper run than in previous four trips to the French capital.
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"The new venue is impressive. Everything is more comfortable for the players, and I like it very much. I think the organizers made a great change. The conditions are completely different than a year ago, and I like it.
I think the surface is much slower than last year, and we should see some action and rallies, and not only serves. I have not achieved good results here, but I like this tournament.
I'm not used to playing indoors, but I'm getting more accustomed to it every year. I hope to go further than in previous years," Carlos Alcaraz said.
