World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz seems to be in good physical shape as he hit the court for practice sessions scheduled with Novak Djokovic on Sunday however, the 20-year-old admitted that he is not 100 percent ahead of the Paris Masters.
Alcaraz withdrew from the last week’s Swiss Indoors in Basel because of some foot ache which was not a major concern. It seems that he has recovered from the minor physical problem which could be a simple fatigue ahead of the final Masters of the season and ATP year-end championships yet, the Spaniard has concerns over his physical form.
When Alcaraz was asked whether he still ha physical woes heading into the opener in Paris, here is his how re responded to the inquiry:
“I’m not gonna say that I’m 100% because it could be a lie,” said Alcaraz.
“You know, at this time of the year, you know, after a long year, I think almost every player has a little bit of problems in their bodies, you know.
“I’m feeling in that way. I’m feeling a little bit of pain, you know, but I had a really good recovery these weeks. I’m coming here feeling well enough, you know, to do a good result here.
“There are a lot of great players that are playing at a high level, you know, so I think that the draw is really, really open, and a lot of players can win this tournament.”
Alcaraz’s practice session with Djokovic made a highlight, as it is not often that the #1 and #2 seeds give the nod for arranging the preparatory hitting before a big tourney.
Yet the players who share all the four majors between them in 2023 have never failed to show a lot of respect for each other. The Spaniard revealed how the practice session was arranged.
“I think it was the best way, you know, to get ready for this tournament, you know, practice with the best one,” he added.
“We spoke before coming here to Paris and we, yeah, we talk about if we can practice one day. It happen yesterday. He won… hopefully just for practice (smiling).
“I’m really excited to play this tournament. You know, I just said I have not great memories here, but I am trying to forget everything that happen the years before.
“You know, in 2021 I had not a good run. Last year, I think I surpass that rounds. Hopefully this year gonna be better.
Something that I’m not thinking about what happen last year and 2021. I’m just focusing on this one. You know, just thinking about my feelings on the court, that it’s going really, really well. So excited to start the tournament,” the 2-time Grand Slam champion assessed.
Alcaraz’s bid to knock Djokovic off the top spot before the conclusion of 2023 campaign looks complicated given some poor runs in recent weeks.
The Murcia-native fell to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open semis and then lost to Jannik Sinner and Grigor Dimitrov in the Asian swing in Shanghai and Beijing hardcourts.
He then pulled out of the Swiss Indoors in Basel because of the injured foot and now it seems he is heading to Paris with some big questions over his form and fitness as the season approaches its end.