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The 2025 ATP Tour season is rapidly approaching its climax with the start of the Rolex Paris Masters, the final Masters 1000 event of the calendar. The tournament, which runs from October 27 to November 2, marks the highly anticipated return of World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who is back in action after skipping the Shanghai Masters. As defending champion Alexander Zverev looks to retain his title, the 2025 edition is also defined by a significant move to a new, larger venue and a tight race for the year-end No. 1 ranking.
Alcaraz’s Return and Opening Match
After a month away from competitive play, Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his debut today, Tuesday, October 28. The Spaniard has not competed since winning the ATP 500 in Tokyo on September 30. His only recent court time was at the Six Kings Slam, an exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia where he fell to rival Jannik Sinner in the final.
Alcaraz, who had a first-round bye, will open his Paris campaign against Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the second round. Norrie, ranked 31st, secured his spot by defeating Argentina’s Sebastián Báez 6-3, 6-4. This will be the eighth meeting between the two, with Alcaraz holding a 5-2 advantage in their head-to-head record. The match is scheduled as the first of the evening session, beginning at approximately 7:00 PM local time.
The Battle for Year-End Number One
The stakes in Paris are incredibly high, as the tournament will be pivotal in determining who finishes the season as World No. 1. Alcaraz currently holds the top spot with an 840-point lead over No. 2 Jannik Sinner. A strong performance here could help Alcaraz clinch the year-end honor.
However, Sinner arrives in peak form, having just won the ATP 500 in Vienna, defeating Zverev in the final. The Italian is widely regarded as a specialist on indoor hard courts, which could give him an edge in this event. Many fans and analysts are hoping for another final showdown between Alcaraz and Sinner, which could decide the top ranking.
Alcaraz’s Potential Path to the Final
Looking at the draw, the top seed has a challenging but manageable path. If Alcaraz overcomes Norrie, his most likely opponents in the third round would be Vacherot, Rinderknech, or Jiri Lehecka. A potential quarterfinal matchup could see him face formidable foes like Casper Ruud or Felix Auger-Aliassime. Should he advance to the semifinals, top-ranked players like Taylor Fritz, Alex De Miñaur, Karen Khachanov, or Alexander Bublik loom as probable adversaries before a potential final.
A New Venue and Top Contenders
One of the biggest storylines this year is the tournament’s change of location. The Paris Masters has moved from its long-time home at the Accor Arena (Bercy) to the Paris La Défense Arena. This state-of-the-art facility is recognized as the largest indoor venue in Europe, boasting a total capacity of 23,000 spectators and a main court that can hold 17,500 fans.
The event features a stacked field of the world’s best. The top seeds include:
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Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
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Jannik Sinner (ITA)
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Alexander Zverev (GER)
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Taylor Fritz (USA)
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Novak Djokovic (SRB)
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Ben Shelton (USA)
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Alex De Miñaur (AUS)
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Lorenzo Musetti (ITA)
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Karen Khachanov (RUS)
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Holger Rune (DEN)
2025 Prize Money Breakdown
The tournament features a significant prize pool. The financial distribution is as follows:
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Champion: $946,610
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Runner-up: $516,925
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Semifinalists: $282,650
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Quarterfinalists: $154,170
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Third Round: $82,465
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Second Round: $44,220
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First Round: $24,500
How to Watch
The 2025 Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 will be broadcast from Saturday, October 25, through the finals on Sunday, November 2. Complete coverage of the event is available on Movistar Plus+ via its various channels and streaming applications. Additionally, the Eurosport website will provide live, minute-by-minute updates of the most significant matches, including all action featuring top players like Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Jannik Sinner.
