Alexander Zverev has clinched a series of significant titles this season and proudly holds the No. 1 ranking. However, it’s Carlos Alcaraz who steps into the ATP Finals as the player everyone is watching.
This is primarily due to Alcaraz’s remarkable form in recent weeks, despite having been sidelined for 4 1/2 months earlier in the year due to a wrist injury.
Entering Turin, Zverev is on a two-match losing streak, whereas Alcaraz is riding high on a 10-match winning surge, having secured titles in both Vienna and Paris. He’s determined to claim the Finals trophy this time, especially after his tough loss to Jannik Sinner in last year’s final.
“This is a tournament I deeply desire to win one day,” Alcaraz shared after his victory over Ben Shelton in the Paris Masters final last weekend. “With renewed confidence and valuable insights from my previous experiences, I’m ready to elevate my game in the Finals and aim for victory.”
The Finals, showcasing the top eight men’s players of the year, kicks off this Sunday in Turin, Italy.
Defending champion Sinner will be absent, having prematurely ended his season due to a knee injury.
Alcaraz Refines His Indoor Skills
Not long ago, Alcaraz faced difficulties while playing indoors.
“I lacked experience on indoor courts,” Alcaraz admitted two years ago at the Finals after not advancing. “I’m certain I’ll become a top indoor player; it’s just a matter of gaining that experience. Many players currently have an edge over me in this environment.”
Now, Alcaraz has only dropped one set during his impressive indoor winning streak.
“Athletes who are mentally exhausted often struggle with patience,” observed Tennis Channel analyst and former No. 1 Jim Courier in an email to The Associated Press. “Carlos is now making wiser choices with his shot selection compared to a couple of years ago, and the mental freshness stemming from his injury break has also contributed positively.”
Zverev Frustrated with Criticism of His Ranking
Zverev has shown signs of mental fatigue during his recent defeats against Alex de Minaur and Lorenzo Musetti in Vienna and Paris, respectively.
This weariness isn’t solely due to the season’s end.
“I feel like I’m the only world No. 1 in tennis history who has to justify my position, which I find quite frustrating, as I believe I’ve earned my place,” Zverev expressed following his Paris exit to Musetti.
Despite achieving his first two Grand Slam titles this year and rising to the No. 1 spot for the first time, Zverev continues to field questions about the legitimacy of his ranking due to Alcaraz’s and Sinner’s injuries.
Zverev candidly remarked that the criticism is “annoying, to be honest.”
A third Finals title for Zverev, particularly with a victory over Alcaraz, would significantly help silence his critics.
Shelton Upsets Alcaraz in Thrilling Showdown
Another standout performer as the season draws to a close is Shelton, who reached his inaugural Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open.
The American triumphed over Alcaraz in what many consider the match of the year—battling through a fifth-set super tiebreaker that wrapped up at 3:33 a.m.
“It’s all about the finer details. The small differences dictated our encounter at the U.S. Open, similar to what happened in Paris,” Shelton noted after narrowly losing to Alcaraz in two closely contested sets last weekend. “On a super-fast surface like this, those margins are razor-thin.”
Adding to Shelton’s potential is his recent partnership with Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz’s former coach.
“I’m incredibly eager and excited as I head into Turin,” Shelton declared.
Draw (seedings in parentheses):
John McEnroe Group: Alexander Zverev (1), Ben Shelton (3), Arthur Fils (6), Rafael Jodar (8).
Ivan Lendl Group: Carlos Alcaraz (2), Daniil Medvedev (4), Flavio Cobolli (5), Frances Tiafoe (7).
