The Paris Masters 1000 reaffirms its essence: "It must continue to last a week"

An ode to tennis. This is what the ATP Masters 1000 Paris 2026 has become over the past week, a tournament that leaves a mark in the collective imagination of this sport for its tennis quality and excitement, as well as for having almost unique characteristics that escape the trend of current tennis. Cédric Pioline, the tournament director, revealed the upcoming goals.

Courts much faster than average, a field reduced to 56 players in 64 spaces, and the feeling of standing as the great bastion of tennis from another era, when the Masters 1000 were a vibrant event for all fans. This is what the ATP Masters 1000 Paris 2026 has become, and the plan is to reinforce that identity in the upcoming editions.

Why the courts are so fast at the Paris tournament

Throughout the week, there has been continuous discussion about the unusual speed of the courts, with a combination of surface and balls that forced all players to be aggressive and seek points very directly. 

This represents a completely opposite trend to what is common on the circuit, where there has been a tendency to slow everything down, increasing rallies, but also the physical wear on players and, consequently, favoring injuries. Pioline downplays the issue but reinforces the idea of continuing to stand as one of the fastest courts in the world.

"I believe that, for the sake of the spectacle, it is better this way than having a court that is too slow. We will discuss the conditions for next year, but I am convinced that they will be quite similar to those of this edition because I consider the outcome has been positive."

"We always try to find the right balance so that all playing styles can compete: that the court is neither too fast nor too slow, but has a medium or medium-high speed."

The pride of being a one-week Masters 1000

The restructuring of the calendar carried out by the ATP has made 7 of the 9 Masters 1000 last two weeks and completely changes the nature of their draws and the feeling of fans during these events. 

Monte Carlo and Paris are the resistance, the isolated cases that bring joy to the most nostalgic. When Cédric Pioline was questioned about the possibility of this changing at some point, the director of the French event was resolute.

"At the end of the season, it is better for players to compete in a tournament with a more reduced format. They are tired, and it is normal. I don't know if the figure is accurate, but Zverev arrived here after having played 84 matches, a huge number. 

"It is true that it is their decision to play so many tournaments, but he is also performing at an extraordinary level. He has reached many finals this season and is close to playing another. We are very satisfied with this draw of 56 players and a one-week duration. It is a fast, dynamic, and very demanding tournament for the players."

"From the first round we have very attractive matches, so I don’t see why we should change anything. Of course, we are aware of the players' comments about the duration of some of the other Masters 1000."

"But, in reality, it is not a question that is on the table. Neither ATP has requested it from us, nor is it a request from the tournament itself. So we will continue as we are."

The overall assessment could not be more positive after the great week of tennis that concluded with the title for Carlos Alcaraz. "This tournament is growing, it is appealing, and it has become a must-attend event during the fall, before the ATP Finals," asserted a Cédric Pioline proud of what they are building.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Masters 1000 de París reivindica su esencia: "Debe seguir durando una semana"