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Carlos Alcaraz jokingly admitted that he was “a bit afraid” of Ben Shelton heading into the final stretch of the season, despite beating the American to win the Paris Masters. Shelton beat Alcaraz in a thrilling five-setter at the US Open earlier this year, which finished at 3.33am. But the world No. 3 got his revenge at the La Defense Arena, coming back from a break down to win 7-6(5) 7-5 in Sunday’s final.
After winning his fifth title of the season, and his first-ever at the Paris Masters, the Spanish star piled huge praise on his rival. “For me, first of all I just really want to start with Ben. Such a great week for you, for your team,” the newly-crowned champion said.
“You’re amazing, man. You’re amazing on the court, off the court, you’re amazing with your team, tennis-wise, as a person as well. I just really want to [say] congratulations to you. You always show to everybody how a real champion is, to be honest.
“After a defeat, after not finding great feelings, you always bounce back even stronger, and I’m pretty sure next week in the [ATP] Finals you’re going to be back even stronger. I’m going to be afraid a little bit of you! But just congratulations to you for everything you’ve done, and obviously your team and your family. Great people as well, and great professionals, so congratulations to you as well.”
Alcaraz’s parents were also in the house to watch him lift the Paris Masters trophy for the first time, and he continued: “Well, to my team. This is something that we’ve been chasing for a really long time, not finding the great feeling coming here every year, not finding my great tennis, but we never give up.
“I just had really painful losses here, but we tried next year, we tried and tried again, and finally we felt really comfortable coming here, and it’s because of the work we’ve been doing lately altogether as a team. Always going forward, step by step, but always forward. So I really just [want to] say thank you to my team. My parents are over there as well. I just really want to say thank you so much for coming with me, supporting me. I love you, so thank you so much.”
Until this year, the seven-time Major champion had never been beyond the quarter-finals at the Paris Masters – and even that run came back in 2022. He missed this year’s French Open when a wrist injury forced him to the sidelines for almost five months and came back to the French capital feeling extra motivated to lift this Masters 1000 trophy for the first time.
Alcaraz did it the hard way, saving match points against Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals. And he credited the crowd for getting him through. “Last but not least, the people. The people,” he said.
“We are lucky to play twice per year here in Paris. Unfortunately, I missed one time [this year], and at the beginning of the week, before coming here, I couldn’t wait to step on the court in front of all of you.
“It’s been a real pleasure every time I come here, feeling the support, the love. It’s been amazing, so I’m going to keep that energy, that love that I receive every time I step on the court forever.
“One of the wins that I got this week, it was thanks to you, so I’m really grateful to see you all every year, twice. Hopefully I’m not going to miss any time more to come here to Paris to play in front of you! Thank you so much, and can’t wait to see you all next year.”
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