Alcaraz hoping autumn injury pause will pay off in Paris

Carlos Alcaraz will return to the ATP from Monday at the Paris Masters gambling that an injury pause during the autumn Asian tournament swing will give him the year-end boos that he needs.

While the world No. 1 was happy enough to win the Tokyo title, an ankle niggle led to a pullout before the prestige Shanghai Masters and a trip home to Spain for rehab and rest.

The world No. 1 managed to summon the strength to fly to Saudi for a massive exhibition this month which offered a “courtesy” fee of USD 1.5 million just for showing up in addition to any prize money.

Winner Jannik Sinner left with USD 6 million.

Alcaraz made no mention of his Saudi payday as he got settled into Paris, where the event has moved from its three-decade home at the Bercy arena in the east to the far western outreaches of the La Defense area.

The arena used in the 2024 Olympics will serve as new home of the last major event of the ATP season prior to the eight-man Finals starting November 9.

“Obviously I didn’t want to withdraw from Shanghai, but I had to healmy body, and I think I wasn’t ready to play another tournament in a row,” Alcaraz said.

“I just preferred to come back home, I recovered the ankle, and (tried) to be in good shape for this time of the year.”
The 22-year-old said that the end of the season has never been his strongest time of the year.

“The last two years I’m not coming fresh to this time of the year. So I really wanted to put more attention on that, being in good shape, practicing

well, and coming here, thinking that I can do a really good result.

He added: “Physically I’m feeling good, practicing well, hitting the ball really well. 

“I just really want to see myself playing again here,” he said of the event where he has only a 2022 quarter-final to show from three appearances.