Rolex Paris Masters: A New Arena, Four Decades of History and the Champions Who Shaped It

Paris has two very different stages for elite men’s tennis. Roland-Garros supplies the outdoor clay-court major; the Rolex Paris Masters supplies the late-season indoor Masters 1000. Confusing them means missing the character of both. This is a guide to the indoor event, its changing home and its championship history, researched on October 29, 2026.

Where is the Rolex Paris Masters played?

The current venue is Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, in the La Défense area west of central Paris. The arena was known as Paris La Défense Arena when the tournament moved there in 2025. The visitor address published by the Paris tourist office is 99 Jardins de l’Arche, 92000 Nanterre, France. Older references to the Accor Arena in Bercy describe the previous home, not the venue to visit in 2026. [1, 2]

For a visitor, that move is the most useful piece of modern history. A hotel or restaurant chosen for the old Bercy location may no longer be convenient for the tennis. Start with the arena shown on your ticket, then plan the journey and allow time for security and walking from the station.

The organiser’s 2026 transport guide lists RER A and E, Métro line 1, tram T2 and suburban trains serving the area. It recommends public transport and warns that road access can be restricted during the tournament. Paid parking is available in the surrounding district; check the current guide for reservations, walking distances and the last trains after evening sessions. [3]

A modern history beginning in 1986

The organiser celebrates the tournament’s 40th anniversary in 2026 and begins its modern champions list in 1986, when Boris Becker beat Sergio Casal in the final. That is the history followed here. Early champions such as Becker, Stefan Edberg, Goran Ivanišević and Pete Sampras made the event an important indoor stage for attacking tennis. [4, 5]

The venue changed in 2025 after decades at Bercy. A tournament can carry its records, trophy and supporters into a different building, but a new site also changes the spectator experience. For returning fans, the familiar event name now sits alongside a different journey, concourse and view of the court. [2]

Djokovic’s record and the French champions

Novak Djokovic holds the tournament record with seven singles titles. His later victories came in 2019 against Denis Shapovalov, in 2021 against Daniil Medvedev and in 2023 against Grigor Dimitrov. His record gives Paris a sustained champion across different generations of opponents. [6]

French success has supplied some of the event’s most distinctive chapters: Guy Forget won in 1991, Sébastien Grosjean in 2001 and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008. Roger Federer won the title in 2011. Those names help explain why the tournament’s appeal is broader than a list of the highest-ranked players arriving in a particular year. [4]

Recent singles winners: 2015–2025

This is a recent-winners selection from the organiser’s champions archive, not the complete roll of honour. The 2026 champion is not yet known at this article’s publication date. [4]

Sinner’s first title at the new venue

Jannik Sinner won the 2025 final 6–4, 7–6(4) against Félix Auger-Aliassime. It was his first Paris title and fifth Masters 1000 crown, and the victory returned him to world No. 1. He completed the tournament without dropping a set. For Canadian followers, Auger-Aliassime’s run is an important part of the first edition at the new venue. [7]

The same roll of honour also includes surprise champions. Sock, Khachanov and Rune show why a tournament history is more interesting than a ranking forecast. Winning the week requires solving the actual sequence of opponents, rather than living up to a reputation accumulated elsewhere.

Following the next chapter

The ATP lists the 2026 main tournament for November 2–8, while the wider event programme begins October 31. Use the official daily schedule to distinguish qualifying, main-draw play and ticket sessions. [1, 8]