Nitto ATP Finals
Does Alcaraz have one thing to show in Turin?
Spaniard previews Nitto ATP Finals possibilities
November 08, 2024
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz has received 4 tour-level titles in 2024.
By Sam Jacot
Aged simply 21, Carlos Alcaraz is already a four-time main winner and a five-time ATP Masters 1000 champion. The Spaniard has spent 36 weeks at No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings and clinched the silver medal on the Paris Olympics in July.
Nevertheless, on the subject of the Nitto ATP Finals, Alcaraz feels he has some extent to show. The 21-year-old missed the 2022 occasion resulting from harm earlier than he misplaced in straight units to report seven-time champion Novak Djokovic within the semi-finals on debut final yr.
“Final yr was a tough finish of the yr for me,” Alcaraz mentioned on Thursday in Turin forward of the celebrated year-end occasion. “I couldn’t play at my finest. The final two matches right here have been fairly good matches for me however the earlier two, three tournaments I didn’t play at my finest, so I realised I needed to change slightly bit right now of the yr, which I did this yr.
“I come right here slightly bit totally different. I strategy this match slightly otherwise, realizing there are issues I’ve to vary if I’m to have a superb consequence right here and go far. Final yr I didn’t begin nicely from the primary matches. I’ll attempt to play the identical stage and can attempt to play good tennis. I’m coming right here with a whole lot of motivation.”
Caption this 😄#NittoATPFinals | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/vM7t00SxLn
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 7, 2024
Alcaraz sealed his spot on the Nitto ATP Finals in September after having fun with one other spectacular season on Tour. The No. 3 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings lifted majors at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and received titles on arduous courts in Indian Wells and Beijing.
Eternally searching for enchancment, the Spaniard mirrored on 2024 forward of his ultimate occasion of the yr.
“It’s unattainable to price it 10 out of 10 as you possibly can all the time be higher however it was a extremely superb yr for me,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I might say eight and a half or 9. It might have been higher with the gold medal or different tournaments however I might say 8.5.
“I discovered lots this yr. I do know myself extra as an individual and a participant: what I must do, what I would like, on and off the courtroom. A few of my losses this yr have been actually painful for me: what I’ve to do, to coach on days off. It’s not solely a objective on the courtroom but in addition what it’s a must to do on days off: what number of days to take earlier than going to the match, earlier than it begins to organize as finest.”
Alcaraz arrived in Turin firstly of the week in preparation for his marketing campaign, which commences on Monday afternoon towards Casper Ruud in Inalpi Area. The previous Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF champion is in The John Newcombe Group alongside Alexander Zverev, Ruud and Andrey Rublev.
Alcaraz is stage at 5-5 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head collection with Zverev, having received two of their three conferences this yr. The Spaniard is aware of he can be in for a battle when he takes on the two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion, who clinched his seventh ATP Masters 1000 crown final week in Paris.
“He is among the hardest gamers on the earth for certain,” Alcaraz mentioned on Zverev. “I feel I return fairly nicely however he has a extremely huge serve and performs unbelievable from the baseline, which makes him a extremely robust opponent to face.
“He has received greater than 20 ATP Tour titles, numerous Masters titles. He desires a Grand Slam and I advised him he’s going to get it for certain. On the finish of his profession he’ll get a minimum of one, let’s examine if extra. He deserves it. He’s a extremely arduous employee. He has lifted the massive trophies. I don’t wish to face him due to his serves and pictures, however I’m looking for the fantastic thing about taking part in him.”
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Photograph Credit score: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
