Fifteen months in the past, Roman Safiullin had by no means cracked the Prime 100 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Now the World No. 45, he’ll face one among his largest challenges but on Tuesday on the Rolex Paris Masters in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz.

Having performed Novak Djokovic in final yr’s Tel Aviv semi-finals, Safiullin has gone from exterior the Prime 100 to persistently competing in opposition to the most effective gamers on the earth.

“For this yr, I made completely different preparation. So in the course of the season, we modified possibly two or thrice the preparation for tournaments, and it labored very effectively. For the subsequent yr, we’ll change one thing and adapt to be even higher,” Safiullin informed ATP Podcast. “Like coaching schedule, coaching hours, health, tennis, physio, the whole lot. We have been mixing it up concerning the time and high quality, the whole lot.

“So we have been altering, adapting, see what’s working, what would not work. And slowly we have been discovering the answer which labored the most effective.”

Briefly, Safiullin defined that it is crucial for him to concentrate on “higher high quality work than amount”. That technique has paid dividends. In 2023, Safiullin has earned extra tour-level wins (19) than he had beforehand claimed in his profession (12).

Subsequent up he’ll attempt to safe the most effective win of his profession within the Bercy second spherical in opposition to World No. 2 Alcaraz. It will be the most important win of his profession by Pepperstone ATP Rating.

It has already been a yr of firsts for Safiullin, who superior to his maiden main quarter-final at Wimbledon earlier than making his first ATP Tour remaining in Chengdu.

“It confirmed we’re working in the precise approach. And by the rating, by the sport, it is enhancing. Quarter-final of Wimbledon is absolutely my greatest end result within the Tour and Grand Slams as effectively,” Safiullin stated. “It was a pleasant to play there and it was my first try within the grass-court season as a result of as soon as I performed simply as soon as Wimbledon then one other season I performed one event on grass. And this season I performed three tournaments earlier than Wimbledon on grass and Wimbledon was nice.”

Safiullin isn’t any stranger to a few of the greatest gamers on the earth. The previous junior No. 2 grew up with the likes of Andrey Rublev, however didn’t ascend the Pepperstone ATP Rankings almost as rapidly.

“I had many issues concerning my well being. I had massive accidents and after massive accidents, it is powerful to return again and particularly if it is one thing like a wrist, shoulder or one thing like hip, I do not know,” Safiullin stated, referencing how damage has affected the likes of Dominic Thiem, a serious champion. “My highest place earlier than damage, it was 315, 325. For example after the accidents, I needed to begin another time, after which these guys are working day-after-day whereas I used to be not capable of work.

“So for instance everybody has a distinct life and I had a more durable life. However nonetheless, I made it and hopefully I can be enhancing and enhancing and meet up with them in Prime 10.”

The 26-year-old has prospered beneath the steering of former World No. 39 Andrey Kuznetsov, whose taking part in expertise has confirmed worthwhile for Safiullin.

“Plenty of recommendation, as a result of he was additionally a Prime 50 man and he is aware of many issues like the right way to play, the right way to act on court docket, off court docket. Additionally some teaching recommendation. I am unable to say it right here, however concerning my recreation, he is additionally serving to so much,” Safiullin stated. “And the second coach, [Adrian Noerstenaes], can be extra form of a optimistic man and he provides these energies after we journey in tournaments. They’re utterly completely different guys, however I all the time really feel higher to journey with them.”