He was giving out smiles everywhere, even after training with Jiří Lehečka, he joked that the slower surface in Paris would not be a problem for him. Then tennis number one Carlos Alcaraz’s smile froze when he was eliminated in the very first match of the last Masters season. His subsequent complaints became a social media hit.
The video went viral on social media. Jiří Lehečka and his coach Michal Navrátil in a good mood evaluate the surface in the hall of the Paris Masters after training.
They both acknowledge that it is a slightly slower court than last year and then they both joke about it, which the microphones don’t pick up, but they laugh about it for a long time.
“It’s slower, but I still think I can play well here, I just have to adapt my game to it. The serve will not be decisive, we can also expect long exchanges, at least we will see some decent tennis,” praised Alcaraz.
Alcaraz and Lehecka after practice😄
Carlos said that the courts are slower than last year. Lehecka then made a joke (I can only guess what it was about 👀), and both burst out laughing 😂 pic.twitter.com/laizCkySbP— Lina Shokh (@LinaShokh) October 25, 2025
In the end, both of them did not warm up in Paris for a long time. Lehečka finished in the first round on Valentino Vacherot’s racket, Alcaraz shocked everyone right after the free opening draw when he fell short of Britain’s Cameron Norrie in three sets on Tuesday.
The Spanish favorite bought mistakes during the match and his game lacked rhythm. He often lost his temper over this and complained even in his trainer’s box.
“The surface? It’s clay, slower than in Monte Carlo,” the current tennis king of the rankings was angry.
On social networks, he received ridicule for this, that one day he praises the hall, the next day he makes fun of it.
Alcaraz few days back: “It’s much slower, but I like it this way. For me, it’s a really good speed. I’ve always said that I prefer slower courts.”
Alcaraz complaining today (or just having a bad day): “This is clay, this is worse than Monte Carlo.”
Make it make sense… 🫠 pic.twitter.com/T4UvBAu2uS
— Tennis Masterr (@tennismasterr) October 28, 2025
Even tennis expert and former tennis player Jim Courier wore it. “I don’t get it, he played in ‘kamikaze’ mode. He made 54 unforced errors, it’s like he basically gave up two whole sets,” Courier marveled.
Already calmed down, Alcaraz also poured ashes on his head in front of the journalists. “I practiced a lot here, and I felt good about it, but from the second set, when I tried to play better, the exact opposite happened. I probably chose a completely wrong strategy,” the winner of two Grand Slams this year shook his head.
He himself called his performance the second worst of the season, right behind the defeat with David Goffin in Miami, from where he also finished in the second round.
“All that remains is to return to training to be ready for the Tournament of Champions in Turin and the Davis Cup, those are my priorities now,” he added.
It is his form in the team competition that interests Czech fans. Tomas Berdych’s selection will play it out with Spain on November 20.
Tournament of champions on CANAL+ Sport 2
After ten months of bitter battles on all inhabited continents, the tennis season has come to an end. The women’s competition culminates in a lavish event for the top eight singles and top eight pairs in Riyadh. You can watch the WTA Finals from November 1 to 8 on CANAL+ Sport 2 in live broadcasts accompanied by live studios with exclusive guests. Among the invitees are Barbora Krejčíková, Tomáš Berdych or Tereza Valentová. Interviews with doubles queen Kateřina Siniaková, who represents the Czech Republic in Saudi Arabia, will also be shown.
