Paris Rolex Masters 2026, France - ATP Masters 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

Alcaraz d Shelton 76(5) 75 to win his first Paris Masters 1000s
5th title in a season where he missed nearly 5 months of competition
9th Career Masters 1000s title
Alcaraz saved 6 BPs in the first set, a TB won from 4-3 down, than an early break conceded in the 2nd set, and recovered straight away
On his 2MP Alcaraz sealed it with a BH passing shot.
Alcaraz extends his H2H over Shelton 4-1

Alcaraz to me is still not playing his best tennis and these indoor courts are not the best conditions for him, he looked uncomfortable to me all week, but again when it mattered he just lifts his game, that is why he is so good.

NOTE:
If Alcaraz can win both Canada and Shanghai next year, he'll become the youngest man to win all 9 Masters events!

 

[Murat B.]

Congrats to Alcaraz.
Ben is improving though. He is getting more consistent at staying with the rallies, respecting the shapes on the court as opposed to rushing like he used to. JCF can only help more. He will be a threat to everyone.
But Carlitto is Carlitto.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

ATP Masters 1000s Singles Champions 2026,

IW Jannik Sinner
Miami Jannik Sinner
MC Jannik Sinner
Madrid Jannik Sinner
Rome Jannik Sinner
Canada Shelton
Cinncy Fils
Shanghai Davidovich Fokina
Paris Carlos Alcaraz

 

[El Dude]

Paris reminded us that the gap between Sincaraz and everyone else is substantial. There's no Murray equivalent (worst of the best/best of the rest), so no half step between the two.

Plus, you look at that gap in the Masters, with Shelton-Fils-Fokina, and that's Sinner out for all three, Alcaraz out for the first two and still throwing off the rust at Shanghai.

Which brings us back to the question: Given that none of the guys currently in their prime are good enough to beat a healthy Sincaraz at a big event, will anyone become good enough to challenge while they're still in their prime years? So far Jodar and Fonzie seem to the best bets, but there's no telling how good they'll get. Maybe someone like Rune or Fils improves well enough to at least be a legit spoiler, but there's a significant chance that Sincaraz might reign for years to come with no real challengers to their shared throne.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Paris reminded us that the gap between Sincaraz and everyone else is substantial. There's no Murray equivalent (worst of the best/best of the rest), so no half step between the two.

Plus, you look at that gap in the Masters, with Shelton-Fils-Fokina, and that's Sinner out for all three, Alcaraz out for the first two and still throwing off the rust at Shanghai.

Which brings us back to the question: Given that none of the guys currently in their prime are good enough to beat a healthy Sincaraz at a big event, will anyone become good enough to challenge while they're still in their prime years? So far Jodar and Fonzie seem to the best bets, but there's no telling how good they'll get. Maybe someone like Rune or Fils improves well enough to at least be a legit spoiler, but there's a significant chance that Sincaraz might reign for years to come with no real challengers to their shared throne.

Thanks for the post which I concur with,
While younger prospects eg Fonseca and Jodar are developing the weapons to score isolated upsets, I feel a true multi year power shift is still a couple of years away.

 

[El Dude]

Thanks for the post which I concur with,
While younger prospects eg Fonseca and Jodar are developing the weapons to score isolated upsets, I feel a true multi year power shift is still a couple of years away.

Yep. Of the guys who are Alcaraz's age or older (23+, born in 2003 or before) I think we know who they are and shouldn't expect any of them to get significantly better - at least not enough to regularly challenge Sincaraz. I suppose there's still a question about Rune and if he can A) get back to his pre-injury form, and B) take another step forward. Draper was a guy who looked like he might find a place at the top of the pack, but there's no telling if he'll ever be healthy enough. Shelton had a nice year, but I think the best probable outcome is that he stabilizes at his current level. Fils is a bit younger than Carlos and I suppose could have another level in him, but I suspect that level isn't far from what we've seen. Meaning, his peak form is probably as another regular top 10 guy who will brush against the top 5, but not a real challenger for Sincaraz.

So that leaves us with the younger guys. Mensik is still getting incrementally better, but probably maxes out in a similar range as Fils and Shelton (top 10, chances at top 5, but not #1-2); I'd put Tien in the same boat.

Jodar and Fonseca are the best bets. Fonzie had a disappointing year, so will go into 2027 with something to prove. I'm thinking that by RG/Wimbledon, we'll have a better sense of how good he might become. Jodar remains a bit of a mystery. All things tolled, he had an amazing year...as has been noted, he is the fastest player in ATP history to go from his first ATP level match to the top 10. We really just need to see more of him. But I'd be less concerned if he doesn't step forward next year than if Fonzie doesn't. Meaning, 2027 seems like a threshold moment for Fonzie: Either he proves his talent isn't just flash and hype, or we accept that he's more another FAA/Dimitrov than a future great.

For younger guys born 2007 and later, who knows. Of the guys I know of born in 2007 I don't see anyone who stands out as a huge talent and really, those guys all turned (or turn) 19 this year, so should be showing up on the radar. Blanch and Cina (both 2007) could be good, but they didn't reach the top 100. As I've pointed out, just about every future great reaches the top 100 before their 19th birthday.

The point being, we're talking either Fonseca/Jodar (2006) or someone born in 2008 or later as possible future greats.

If Sincaraz are both healthy, I suspect we'll go back to something like 2024-25. If one is healthy and the other isn't, then we might see a season for the ages.

 

[britbox]

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