A resplendent Carlos Alcaraz received the trophy that accredits him as number 1 in the world at the Masters 1,000 in Paris-Bercy. A privileged position that he wants to defend until the end of the season. For this he must have two good performances, both in France and in the ATP Finals in Turin. The Murcian enters the fray this Wednesday against the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka and hopes that the knee, which bothered him in the Basel semifinals, will not be an impediment.
His main rival to finish the year as number 1 is Rafa Nadal. The Spaniard returns to the circuit this Wednesday after not competing, beyond the tribute to Federer, since the United States Open in September. Nadal will face the winner of the match between Roberto Bautista and Tommy Paul. If Nadal wins a tournament that he has never conquered and Alcaraz does not reach the quarterfinals, the Majorcan will once again climb to the top of the ranking.
“Let one thing be clear, I no longer fight to be number 1, I only fight to be competitive in all the events I compete in, I have been fighting to be competitive for a long time and I have already achieved it,” Nadal clarified, taking the pressure off. Paris brings him good memories for Roland Garros but in the Bercy pavilion he has accumulated disappointments in the form of defeats and physical problems.
