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2020 Paris Masters: Who will be this year’s champion?

By Yaseen Hijazi

The empty court is pictured prior to men's singles first round tennis match on day 1 at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 - Paris Masters (Paris Bercy) - indoor tennis tournament at The AccorHotels Arena in Paris on November 2, 2020. - The tournament is played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
The empty court is pictured prior to men's singles first round tennis match on day 1 at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 - Paris Masters (Paris Bercy) - indoor tennis tournament at The AccorHotels Arena in Paris on November 2, 2020. - The tournament is played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The Paris Masters is underway, and many French Open players have returned to compete in Paris. With Rafael Nadal back in town, the competition looks tough.

Many of the top ATP players in the world have returned to Paris for another tennis showdown, this time competing for the prestigious Paris Masters title as part of the ATP Masters 1000 series. Rafael Nadal is back in town after claiming his dream French Open win to extend his world record to 13 titles, and now he has his eyes set on the title in the humble town of Bercy.

It is no surprise that Rafael Nadal was given the top seed at this year’s Paris Masters tournament, particularly with the absence of world no. 1 Novak Djokovic, who has withdrawn due to mental fatigue. After a gruelling defeat against Rafael Nadal in the French Open final, followed by a staggering upset of similar fashion at the Vienna Open at the hands of Lorenzo Sonego, it is no surprise that the Serbian has withdrawn from Paris in the hopes to rediscover some much needed form and mental fortitude.

"“I have played a lot in the last two and a half months. With the addition that I have not been able to go out or travel a lot,” Djokovic said. “First because of the restrictions and then because of the quarantine rules in the tournaments. That has left me very exhausted on a mental level.”"

With Rafael Nadal as the top seeded player and possibly a fan favourite to win it this year, it may come to the surprise of many that the Spaniard has in fact never won a Paris Masters title in his career. His best performance being in 2007 when he reached the finals only to settle for runner up at the hands of David Nalbandian, who was in hot form at the time.

Nevertheless, this year’s Paris Masters is no walk in the park for Nadal, with the likes of Stan Wawrinka, Alexander Zverev and Vienna Open champion Andrey Rublev all sizeable threats to the world no. 2. With the absence of record-holding 5-time Paris Masters champion Novak Djokovic, we will no doubt see a new champion in 2020, as the remaining contenders are all seeking the first Paris Masters title of their career.

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Keeping in mind that Rafael Nadal is in the same boat as every other player in regards to never winning the Paris Masters title, it would be reasonable to choose him as the favourite for this year’s event. As perhaps the most popular player among fans in Paris, particularly after claiming his 13th Roland Garros title not long ago, the Spaniard will surely have the crowd on his side as he battles his way to put a Paris Masters title to his name.

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