Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov pinpoint the biggest changes they already have seen in the Paris Masters this year
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Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov have noticed some big differences at the Paris Masters already this year.
The Paris Masters has changed venues and courts this year, moving from the Bercy Arena after 38 years.
Despite being one of the biggest tournaments on the calendar, the Paris Masters has already received complaints from players.
Now, two of the event’s former champions, Medvedev and Khachanov, have given their verdicts on the new changes.
Photo by Mathias Schulz/Newhouse Media/MB Media/Getty Images
Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov detail new Paris Masters changes
Now being held at the La Défense Arena, world number 13 Khachanov has now returned to the tournament that he won back in 2018.
When speaking to Tennis Bolshoi about the changes he has seen, Khachanov suggested that he did miss the old court, but admitted that the changes the tournament has made to the facilities are much improved.
“I would say that the Centre Court [Old Paris Masters venue] was one of the most beautiful in indoor tournaments in the world 100%, but the tournament itself was not very organised for a Masters tournament,” said Khachanov.
“That is everything else that was there, the first court, the food, the place itself, I don’t know, the hotel around…it seems to me that now in the new place everything looks luxurious.
“The main thing is that people like the court itself, it looks great, the centre court it seems to me even looks bigger, I don’t know, I didn’t ask what capacity they have, but it looks good. There are more courts here at the main stadium , that is five courts, there we had three. So well, it’s better for training, the food is better , the improvements are clearly visible.”
Centre Court at the new Paris Masters venue can hold 16,500 spectators, whereas the old venue was at 15,609.
Medvedev was also asked to give his take on the changes, and he appeared to think similarly to Khachanov by pointing out the larger facilities.
“Yes, this is my first day here, so I need some time to get used to it and see,” said Medvedev. “More space is always nice for players anyway. The lounge is bigger, the restaurant is bigger, and the locker room is bigger. I think there are five courts, I think there were four (last year).
“Everything is a little bit bigger, so it’s always good. But you need to spend more time watching how the matches are played, how the cords and balls are played, in order to understand everything.”
Daniil Medvedev responds when asked if he still thinks he can qualify for the ATP Finals
After winning his first title in 29 months, Medvedev was beaten by Corentin Moutet in Vienna to put a dent in his already outside hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals.
Medvedev is currently 12th in the race to the ATP Finals, but theoretically could still catch eighth placed Lorenzo Musetti if he won the Paris Masters and received a wildcard for a last-minute ATP 250 event.
Race to the ATP FinalsPoints1. Carlos Alcaraz (Qualified)11,0502. Jannik Sinner (Qualified)9,0103. Alexander Zverev (Qualified)4,6104. Novak Djokovic (Qualified)4,5805. Taylor Fritz3,8856. Ben Shelton3,7807. Alex de Minaur3,7458. Lorenzo Musetti3,6859. Felix Auger-Aliassime3,24510. Jack Draper (Has ended season due to injury)2,99011. Casper Ruud2,83512. Daniil Medvedev2,610
When asked about these prospects, Medvedev suggested that returning to the top 10 is a bigger priority of his at the moment, but he has not ruled out the ATP Finals completely.
“Probably not, because it’s more likely that we’re going to talk about the top 10, then the ATP Finals,” responded Medvedev. “I think I need to win (the Paris Masters) to [reach] the ATP Finals.
“Anything is possible, I will try to do it, but let’s say such thoughts will occur if I reach the semifinals. For now you are thinking about going through the first round, maybe the second, then maybe the third and so on.”
Medvedev has qualified for the ATP Finals for all of the last six years, and he will be hoping that streak does not end when he begins his Paris Masters campaign against Jaume Munar.
