The last Masters 1000 of the season arrives in Paris from November 2 to 8 at the Paris La Défense Arena, and it arrives with a very different look. The defending champion is gone, last year’s finalist is gone, and the title is open in a way it rarely is. For several players, this week is also the final chance to secure a place at the ATP Finals in Turin.

Here are the faces who will shape the week, and the names most likely to lift the trophy.

Quick facts before the first ball

• Djokovic holds the record for most titles in Paris with seven.
• Zverev is the 2024 champion, having beaten Humbert in the final.
• Sinner won the 2025 edition against Auger-Aliassime, and neither of them will play this year. Both are dealing with knee injuries.
• Bublik, a semifinalist in 2025, and Fonseca have also withdrawn.
• No Frenchman has won the title since Tsonga in 2008.
• The singles draw has 56 players, with qualifying on October 31 and November 1.

The absences that changed everything

Sinner ended his 2026 season early because of a right knee injury, so there will be no title defense. Auger-Aliassime pulled out as well after missing Brussels and Basel with a knee problem. That withdrawal also ends his hopes of qualifying for Turin. Their absence removes both of last year’s finalists and leaves the draw wide open.

The favorites

Alexander Zverev arrives as the expected top seed and a former champion in Paris. His game suits indoor hard courts, and with Sinner out, this is a real opportunity for him to add another big title before Turin.

Carlos Alcaraz is the other headline name. Paris has never been his most comfortable stop, but his level is high enough to win any event he enters. If he finds his rhythm early, he becomes the man to beat.

Novak Djokovic is the most successful player in the history of this tournament. He is still fighting for his place in Turin, which gives him extra motivation this week. Experience in long indoor matches could matter more than ever in an open draw.

The challengers

Ben Shelton is one of the most dangerous servers on tour, and fast indoor conditions reward that weapon. He is a serious threat if he holds serve consistently.

Daniil Medvedev has a strong history in Paris and is a former champion here. When his baseline game clicks indoors, he can beat anyone.

Holger Rune enters with a protected ranking and has been playing well in Basel this week. He was a finalist in Paris in 2022 and likes this stage.

The home hopes

Arthur Fils leads the French group, joined by Ugo Humbert and Arthur Rinderknech with direct entry. Géa, Halys, Jacquet and Droguet received wild cards. The Paris crowd can carry a home player a long way, as Humbert showed in 2024.

Who can win?

My pick is Zverev. He has won here before, he is the top seed, and the two players who beat him to big titles indoors last season are absent. Alcaraz is the clear second favorite, with Djokovic as the most dangerous outsider thanks to his record in this event. If you are looking for a surprise, keep an eye on Rune and Medvedev.

The draw will tell us more. Full match previews will follow once the bracket is out. Click for analysis.