At the Accor Arena,
The world’s two best players Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz put their rivalry aside to train together on Sunday before the start of the tournament. “It was the best way to prepare for this tournament, to train with the best. We talked about it before coming here to Paris. We were asking if we could practice with each other sometime and it happened yesterday and he won (7–6(3)! (Laughs). I hope it’s just for the “training. We’re fighting for the number 1 spot and the biggest tournaments so, obviously, he’s not going to give me any advice.” The Wimbledon winner, who did not play in the Basel tournament last week due to with pain in his left foot and gluteal muscles, admitted to not being in the shape of his life before tackling the final sprint (the Masters 1000 in Paris and the Masters in Turin). “I’m not going to say that I’m in 100%, because that would be a lie. I still have a little discomfort in the sole of my foot. At this time of year, after a long season, any player has a few glitches in their body. I feel a little bit of pain but I recovered well this week and I come here feeling good enough to have a good result here.” In the fight with Novak Djokovic for the throne of world number 1, Alcaraz
The Murcian sees himself more as an outsider than a favorite: “I think the table is very open and many players can win this tournament. Jannik (Sinner), for example, plays excellently well, the same goes for Medvedev, there are excellent players who play at an excellent level. » It must be said that for the moment, the prodigy has not particularly shone in the east of Paris. “I’m really excited to play this tournament again even if I don’t have great memories. But I try to forget everything that happened in previous years. In 2021 (defeat in the 8th against Hugo Gaston), I did not have a good tournament. Last year (retiring in the semi-final against Rune), I spent a few more rounds, but I hope this year it will be even better.” And it begins with a confrontation against the Russian Roman Safiulin (45th), who defeated the French Alexandre Muller (83rd) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.
