Carlos Alcaraz’s impressive 2024 season, featuring major victories at the French Open and Wimbledon, alongside titles at the BNP Paribas Open and the China Open, could end on a bittersweet note. Despite these successes, Alcaraz may finish the year ranked third in the ATP rankings, potentially becoming the first player in history to win two Grand Slam titles in a season without finishing in the Top 2. This surprising scenario follows his early exit from the Paris Rolex Masters, where he was defeated by France’s Ugo Humbert, leading Alexander Zverev to surpass him for the No. 2 ranking.
Alcaraz entered Paris as a strong favorite, especially after Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal, but Humbert, inspired by the French crowd, managed to oust him in three challenging sets. Alcaraz later mentioned the unique challenge of the fast indoor surface at the Paris Masters, contrasting it with slower indoor courts he’d encountered in the Davis Cup. While Alcaraz avoided making excuses, he noted that this court was particularly quick, possibly the fastest he’s faced in a Masters 1000 event in recent years.
Meanwhile, Zverev’s deep run to the Paris-Bercy final and his semifinal victory over Holger Rune helped him climb to No. 2, securing a favorable position for the ATP Finals. Zverev acknowledged Alcaraz and Sinner as the standout players of 2024, underscoring the increased speed and aggressiveness in today’s game. He reflected on his own ups and downs over the season, expressing hopes of contending for a Grand Slam title in 2025 after having to step back due to health issues this year.
Humbert, elated with his victory, called it the pinnacle of his career so far. He credited his aggressive playstyle and the support of the French crowd, which he described as transformative, particularly during the third set. Humbert expressed his love for competing against top players, with Bercy remaining his favorite tournament, although he is cautious about predicting further success.