By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, October 30, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz is chasing Novak Djokovic for the world No. 1 ranking.
In Paris, the pair came face-to-face in a Wimbledon final rematch.
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Djokovic topped Alcaraz in a practice set they played in preparation for this week's Rolex Paris Masters. Alcaraz hopes practice is a prelude to a Sunday final rematch.
"I think it was the best way, you know, to get ready for this tournament, you know, practice with the best one," Alcaraz told the media in Paris. "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."
Facing the best, Alcaraz concedes he's not quite physically at his best. The Wimbledon winner continues recovery from plantar fascia in his left foot and a strained lower back muscle that forced him out of last week's Swiss Indoors Basel.
One of the sport's speediest players admits he's feeling foot pain, but believes he can still take significant steps in Paris. Alcaraz opens the Rolex Paris Masters against qualifier Roman Safiullin.
"I'm not gonna say that I'm 100% because it could be a lie," Alcaraz said. "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."
Despite his cranky left foot and a well-rested Djokovic who beat him in practice, Alcaraz said "I don't know if [Novak] has more chances or me."
The 2022 US Open champion cited Vienna champion Jannik Sinner and finalist Daniil Medvedev as two top contenders in Paris.
"Jannik, for example, is playing unbelievable. Medvedev as well," Alcaraz said. "There are a lot of great players that are playing in high level, you know, so I think that the draw is really, really open, and a lot of players can win this tournament."
Photo credit: Rolex Paris Masters Facebook