Carlos Alcaraz honestly said what he thinks about the two-week ATP Masters 1000 events in comparison to the one-week Masters tournaments.
Alcaraz is a six-time ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. Having won six trophies at this level, he managed to do it at both one-week and two-week Masters events.
Paradoxically, there is even one tournament that the young Spaniard managed to win as both a one-week and as a two-week event. Alcaraz won the Madrid Open in 2022 when it was still a one-week tournament, and he also won it the following year, in 2023, when it was already a two-week event.
On top of that, the 21-year-old lifted a trophy in Miami and two trophies at the Indian Wells Open, which are both two-week tournaments. But most recently, Alcaraz won the Monte-Carlo Masters, which is a rare one-week ATP 1000 event, adding his sixth Masters trophy.
It was in the Principality that he spoke about the difference between the one-week and two-week Masters tournaments. Some players like the old format more, while others prefer the two-week tournaments.
The tournament organizers often claim that the extra time in between the matches gives the players an option to rest more. However, Alcaraz explained that it is not the case.
Even when players don't play, they have to practice and stay mentally sharp, which is similarly draining as playing. So, having an event last only a week is definitely more beneficial for them in that sense.
"The one-week ones are better. Some will think that in two weeks, there are days of rest, but that is not the case. You train, you have to mentally prepare for the game, prepare for it. You’re not resting, really. It’s two full weeks. That’s why I prefer the one-week Masters 1000. For me, it’s better for tennis."
Alcaraz isn't the first player who said that. In the past, other players have shared a similar sentiment, explaining that even though the idea might work in theory, it doesn't really work in practice.
At the moment, Alcaraz is competing at an ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona, which is obviously a one-week event. He made it to the final, in which he will take on fellow youngster Holger Rune.
Speaking about the upcoming final, the four-time Grand Slam champion said that reaching the third final in Barcelona means a lot to him, especially because he gets a chance to play in front of the Spanish fans, which he loves doing.
"Since I was a little kid, I was here on Sundays watching the final. I played twice here, so being in a final here in Barcelona again means a lot. In front of my people, my friends who came from Murcia, and of course, the people here in Barcelona. It’s been a really fun and great week, and let’s see if we can end tomorrow with a trophy."
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