Carlos Alcaraz is one of the most beloved figures on the ATP Tour, with overwhelming support wherever he plays.
However, that was not always the case, especially at the 2021 Paris Masters.
The young gun experienced quite the opposite against the home player Hugo Gaston in the third round. In the second, the 18-year-old bested Jannik Sinner and reached the last 16.
However, Carlos was not prepared for what was coming against Gaston's partisan crowd at packed Bercy. A teenager experienced a 6-4, 7-5 defeat in an hour and 43 minutes after a disaster in the second set.
The Spaniard raced into a 5-0 advantage before the Frenchman used the crowd to provide a brilliant comeback and rattle off seven straight games. The crowd in Bercy did what they had to.
The noise, pressure and energy became overwhelming, with Carlos watching a seemingly safe position slip away in straight sets. He described it as the most difficult match he ever played that included crowd.
Rather than breaking him, that night became a defining moment for the upcoming star. The experience forced Carlos to mature quickly, teaching him how to handle adversity, momentum swings and emotional pressure on the biggest stages.
The following season saw Alcaraz entering the record books. He claimed multiple Masters 1000 titles and conquered the US Open to become the youngest world no. 1 in ATP history.
Years later, that painful defeat stands as one of the moments that helped shape the champion he would become.
"I have not talked too much about it, but the most difficult match that I have ever played in my career with the crowd was against Hugo Gaston in Paris Bercy 2021. I will not forget it in my whole life because it was a turning point.
I grew up a lot from then, but that match was the most difficult one that I have ever played against the crowd," Carlos Alcaraz said.
