Carlos Alcaraz has demonstrated incredible form since returning from injury at the end of August.
Alcaraz began the 2026 season in fine form, completing the Career Grand Slam in Melbourne, winning the Qatar Open and reaching the Monte Carlo Masters final.
He then suffered a long-term wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April.
Since returning to the Tour in August, Alcaraz has amassed a 20-2 record â winning the Japan Open, Vienna Open and the Paris Masters along the way.
Jimmy Connors has now offered his take on Alcaraz’s recent play in Paris, while also identifying what sets him apart from his competitors on the circuit.
Jimmy Connors says Carlos Alcaraz has more variety than any other player on the ATP Tour
“Mixes up his shots. He’s got variety,” Connors stated on the ‘Advantage Connors Podcast’
“He can play the modern game. He can play old school a little bit with the right attitude and mix it in to the modern game.
“So he hits with power â authority with a mental advantage.”
Connors, a five-time US Open champion, also discussed Alcaraz’s ability to entertain a crowd.
“You got to give more than just the tennis, and he does that,” the American former world number one said of the Spaniard. “He is able to connect with the crowd to bring them down on the court with him.
“Not this last year, but the year before when we were watching the match, I was down there playing with him [metaphorically].”
Connors is undoubtedly correct in his assessment of Alcaraz: the Spaniard is the most electrifying presence on the ATP Tour, an individual who regularly gestures towards the crowd and encourages those watching to play their part in any given match.
Alcaraz demonstrated this recently when competing against Taylor Fritz in the Paris Masters semi-finals.
Alcaraz found himself match point down against the American; on the verge of handing Fritz an ATP Finals berth at Rafael Jodar’s expense.
Carlos Alcaraz’s path to the Paris Masters title
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R1: defeated Alex Michelsen 7-6, 6-3
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R2: defeated Matteo Berrettini via a walkover
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QF: defeated Taylor Fritz 6-7, 7-5, 6-3
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SF: defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4
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F: defeated Ben Shelton 7-6, 7-5
Alcaraz won a number of exhilarating points, motioning to the crowd to play their part â which they ultimately did by creating a raucous atmosphere inside the Plenitude Arena.
Alcaraz took full control of the match from that point, eventually winning 6-7, 7-5, 6-3. He went on to win the title, beating Ben Shelton in the final.
Carlos Alcaraz’s ATP Finals group
Alcaraz found out his ATP Finals opponents on Thursday afternoon.
The Spaniard, seeded second in Turin, Italy, will play Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli and Frances Tiafoe.
Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Arthur Fils and Rafael Jodar will do battle in the other group.
Jannik Sinner is the defending ATP Finals champion. He is not taking part in the 2026 event due to a knee injury.
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Esta notĂcia foi originalmente publicada em: Fonte original