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Ranking the 5 Biggest Stories to Watch at the Paris Masters 2026

The 2026 Rolex Paris Masters kicks off at the Plenitude Arena on Monday, with the tournament running through November 8th and featuring a full 56-player draw. The absence of defending champion Jannik Sinner—sidelined for the season due to a right knee injury—has reshaped the competition, leaving the ATP Finals race as the most critical storyline.

With Alexander Zverev now ranked world No. 1, the German will aim to secure his first Masters 1000 title of the season after a strong run that includes two Grand Slam victories this year.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz arrives fresh off his Vienna title, where he went undefeated in ATP 500 events, though Paris has historically posed challenges for the Spaniard, with early exits in 2023 and 2025. The final seeding spots for the Nitto ATP Finals remain up for grabs, with players like Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils, and Frances Tiafoe battling for the last four spots, while Alex de Minaur trails by just 24 points behind Rafael Jodar.

Zverev, seeded first, will face Lorenzo Musetti in his opening match, while Alcaraz, the second seed, could meet Arthur Fils or another contender in his quarter of the draw. With 1,000 points on offer for the champion, deep runs in Paris could dramatically alter the ATP Finals field before the season closes.

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