Carlos Alcaraz’s 2024 season hit a rough patch with an early exit at the Rolex Paris Masters, where he was eliminated in the round of 16. Facing Frenchman Ugo Humbert, Alcaraz struggled on the fast indoor courts of Paris-Bercy, ultimately losing in a thrilling three-set match. This was not the first time Alcaraz has found Paris challenging; despite his past success at reaching the quarterfinals in 2022, the Spaniard has yet to find his best rhythm on this particular court surface. The lightning-fast conditions appeared to hinder his game style, as he mentioned in the post-match press conference, expressing frustration over the rapid pace that disrupted his signature tactics.
From the start of his Paris campaign, Alcaraz seemed out of sync, barely scraping by in his opening match against Nicolas Jarry. Humbert, on the other hand, played inspired tennis, buoyed by the support of the French crowd and appearing unfazed by the occasion. The world number 2, who admitted he only found his stride from the second set onward, was hampered by uncharacteristic errors and never seemed to settle into the fast-paced rhythm dictated by the court conditions. Humbert capitalized on Alcaraz’s inconsistent form, taking the crucial points in the third set and sealing the victory.
Following the defeat, Alcaraz spoke about his dissatisfaction with the speed of the courts, noting how it altered his approach to rallies and disrupted his usual strategy of dictating the pace. “This is the fastest court in the Masters 1000 series,” Alcaraz noted. “It’s a challenge, and I probably should have arrived earlier to acclimate.” Reflecting on his loss, he avoided excuses and instead praised Humbert, acknowledging that the Frenchman fully deserved his victory: “I don’t want to use the surface as an excuse. Ugo played great and deserved to win today. It was just tough to play my game on this surface.”
Despite the early exit, Alcaraz has still had a remarkable 2024 season. Winning two Grand Slam titles and adding a Masters 1000 title to his record, along with a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, showcases the young star’s incredible talent and resilience. However, this defeat in Paris highlights a broader issue that has plagued Alcaraz this season: inconsistency in adapting to different court speeds, particularly on ultra-fast surfaces. Alcaraz, whose game thrives on crafting points from the baseline and injecting bursts of pace, often finds fast courts like Paris-Bercy and Cincinnati less favorable. This inconsistency could potentially affect his ATP ranking, especially with Alexander Zverev hot on his heels. Zverev, who has been in strong form, would only need to reach the Paris-Bercy final to overtake Alcaraz for the number 2 spot in the ATP rankings. This shift could also complicate the draw at the upcoming Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, where Alcaraz may have to face close rival Jannik Sinner early in the group stages if he drops to a lower seeding.
Reflecting on the year’s struggles with fast courts, Alcaraz had previously shared his frustrations during the Cincinnati Masters earlier in the season, which featured similarly quick conditions. He pointed out the need for slower surfaces to promote longer rallies and add depth to the matches, as he believes it benefits both players and fans. “It’s really fast for me,” Alcaraz explained. “Some players enjoy this speed, but I feel it could be slower, which would allow for better rallies and more engaging tennis for the fans.”
As the focus now shifts to the season finale in Turin, Alcaraz will aim to acclimate to conditions at the ATP Finals to close the year on a high note. The Nitto ATP Finals will provide Alcaraz with a fresh opportunity to improve his performance on an indoor hard court, a surface that has tested him this season. Last year in Turin, he made a solid run before falling to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. The Spaniard is keen to advance further this year, hopefully avoiding an early showdown with Sinner. His Turin campaign will be followed by the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, where Alcaraz hopes to bring success to Spain and finish 2024 on a strong note.
In hindsight, 2024 has been an impressive year for Alcaraz, even with its occasional setbacks. His two Grand Slam titles, in particular, have solidified his place among the elite in the sport and underscore his potential to become a dominant force on tour. Yet, the young star acknowledges that achieving greater consistency across all surfaces will be key to sustaining his position at the top of the rankings. The indoor conditions at the ATP Finals will pose a final test this season, one that Alcaraz will approach with the same grit and adaptability that he has demonstrated throughout his meteoric rise.
Looking beyond Turin, the 2025 season will provide Alcaraz the chance to further refine his game for all court types. With more experience on the fastest surfaces, Alcaraz could potentially turn these challenges into strengths, learning to adjust his game to suit conditions and reduce unforced errors. His openness to evolving and tackling his weaknesses speaks to his maturity as an athlete and his readiness to become a perennial contender on the ATP Tour. Fans will eagerly watch his next moves, anticipating that Alcaraz’s talent and determination will only grow stronger in the coming years.