Alcaraz back in Paris with unfinished business at Bercy

PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz approaches this week's Paris Masters hoping to make it a triple in the French capital in 2024 by adding the ATP 1000 title to his French Open win and silver medal at the Olympics.

The Spanish World No. 2 has never managed to progress further than the quarterfinals at this event, falling at the first hurdle last year against Russian Roman Safiullin.

One of the major obstacles to the title has been removed with seven-time winner Novak Djokovic deciding not to take part.

"My aim is to close the circle with a kind of triple (in Paris), or at least get a good result," Alcaraz said on Monday (Tuesday Manila time).

"I said last year, I had to understand that the season is still going after September.

"And I think I did prepare really well this year," added Alcaraz, who won this month's China Open and made it to the semifinals in the Shanghai Masters.

"The calendar is super tight, super demanding, but coming to this year, I think I'm feeling different.

"I have been doing great work lately. So I think I'm ready to do good results or at least go farther than last year, that I think is not really difficult!"

Alcaraz takes to the indoor court at Bercy Arena, which hosted the gymnastics and basketball at the Olympics, against either Chile's Nicolas Jarry or Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

"I'm eager to get started," said Alcaraz, who followed up his Roland Garros triumph with the title at Wimbledon.

"I feel good, both physically and mentally, and happy with my game."