Carlos Alcaraz gets savagely honest as Novak Djokovic closes in on another tennis record

Carlos Alcaraz hasn't held back when asked about his current form as Novak Djokovic closes in on another tennis record.

The Spaniard was subject of a shock defeat to Roman Safiullin at the Paris Masters on Tuesday, with his opponent winning 6-3, 6-4.

It's a huge blow for Alcaraz, who has been hoping to regain the world No 1 ranking he lost following the US Open back in September.

Djokovic is now guaranteed to reach November 20 at the top of the rankings as a result of his rival's shock defeat in France.

Novak Djokovic is on the verge of another tennis record after Carlos Alcaraz's defeat at the Paris Masters

GETTY

That will mean the Serb has, overall, sat at No 1 for a staggering 399 weeks.

Should Djokovic win the Paris Masters, it will move him closer to a record-extending eighth year-end world No 1 title.

And Alcaraz knew he'd squandered a big opportunity following his defeat to Safiullin.

The 20-year-old was brutally honest about his own performance, branding his time in the tournament as a 'failure' in the process.

“There are days like this, but it’s difficult for me to exit like this in a tournament where I hoped I could reach the final," he said.

“It’s a failure, and it hurts. I am disappointed by my level and how I felt on court.

“I have many things to improve if I want to have decent chances at the ATP Finals.

“I came to Paris with the clear idea to play the ATP Finals with an option to be back at the No 1 on spot in the rankings.

"I think my chances are gone now.”

Alcaraz also seemed to suggest the amount of matches he's played in the past 12 months has now caught up with him.

“Probably the season has been so, so long and that affects my game," he added.

"But I think this tournament (is known for having) a lot of surprises.

"Players are tired, aren’t they? I have to figure out how to be better in this part of the year.

“I have a lot of things to improve, a lot of things to practice.

"I didn’t feel well in the game and above all I think I didn’t move well.

"I had a good quality of shots. But, physically in the part of movement, I have to improve a lot.

"I felt very slow against a player that kept a high level during the entire match.”

While it was agony for Alcaraz, it was a day to remember for Safiullin.

And the Russian is proud of the way he's improved since the qualifiers after claiming one of the biggest scalps of his career.

“Since qualies, I was not playing at this level," he stated.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Carlos Alcaraz was no match for Roman Safiullin at the Paris Masters on Tuesday night

GETTY

"But against Carlos and these Top 10, Top 20 guys, you have to lift up the level. I managed to do it.

“For Carlos, it was not his best performance, but still I’m happy that I can win… Even if he’s not in the best shape it’s tough to beat him.

"So I’m really happy that I made it.

“Everything against these guys is important. Tactical, physical, the mental part is very important.

"You need to stay focused from the beginning to the end and I managed to do that.”

The Spaniard was sent crashing out of the Paris Masters on Tuesday