logo

Carlos Alcaraz Advances His Game with Paris Masters Victory

Carlos Alcaraz added another ATP trophy to his collection by defeating Ben Shelton in the Paris Masters final. The Spaniard triumphed 7-6(7-5), 7-5 after nearly two hours on the indoor hard courts of the French capital. This win marks his fifth title in 2026 and the 29th overall in his career.

Alcaraz’s Return from Injury and Recent Titles

This tournament was only his fourth since returning from a four-month injury break at the US Open. Alongside Paris, he captured trophies in Tokyo and Vienna this year, making this week stand out for him.

  • 2026 Titles: 5
  • Tournaments Won: ATP Masters 1000 Paris (Indoor/Hard), Vienna (Indoor/Hard), Tokyo (Outdoor/Hard), Doha (Outdoor/Hard), Australian Open (Outdoor/Hard)

Career Highlights and Titles by Year

  • 2025: 8 titles including Tokyo, US Open, Cincinnati Masters, Queen's Club, Roland Garros, Rome Masters, Monte-Carlo Masters, Rotterdam
  • 2024: 4 titles - Beijing, Wimbledon, Roland Garros, Indian Wells Masters
  • 2023: 6 titles - Wimbledon, Queen's Club, Madrid Masters, Barcelona, Indian Wells Masters, Buenos Aires
  • 2022: 5 titles - US Open, Madrid Masters, Barcelona, Miami Masters, Rio de Janeiro
  • 2021: 1 title - Umag

Alcaraz on His Mental Growth After Paris Win

"Probably my best week," Alcaraz said after his victory, comparing it to his performance in Vienna earlier in the year. "I made one step forward mentally. I faced many tough moments, not match points but internal battles, trying to stay positive and strong mentally, not letting negative thoughts affect my game."

He emphasized how controlling his emotions and thoughts throughout matches marked a significant progression for him. The last couple of weeks have been the strongest since his comeback.

Looking Ahead to the ATP Finals

Alcaraz will next compete at the ATP Finals in Turin. When asked about being the favorite, he responded cautiously:

"The matches were really close in this tournament. I feel comfortable and am improving on this surface. I’ll try to do what I’ve done so far — keep moving forward and evolve my game. Whether I’m the favorite or not isn’t something I want to focus on. I’ll just go there, play my tennis, enjoy it, and let others decide if I’m favored."

Reactions from Tennis Experts

WTA legend Tracy Austin praised Alcaraz on the Tennis Channel, highlighting his ability to adapt against different opponents. She recalled his quarterfinal clash with Taylor Fritz, where Alcaraz saved two match points despite seeming behind.

"It’s exciting to see Carlos back in a big way," Austin said.

Coach Brad Gilbert, known for working with Coco Gauff, noted improvements in Alcaraz’s serve post-injury.

"Carlos won three of four tournaments after the US Open. The biggest change is the serve — previously he struggled to break 120 mph; now he’s hitting in the high 130s. The wrist feels better, and there’s an influence from Juan Carlos Ferrero in his style. His indoor play has improved significantly in the last two weeks."

Ben Shelton’s Future and Coaching Team

Shelton, who lost the Paris final to Alcaraz, has recently brought in Carlos Ferrero as part of his coaching team alongside his father, Bryan Shelton. Both players now shift their focus to the ATP Finals in Turin, where a rematch could take place.

Related Articles