Nitto ATP Finals

Half 2: Nadal, Jordan, Ronaldo; Nitto ATP Finals stars choose their champions

Zverev, Alcaraz, Ruud and Rublev select three champions every

November 11, 2024

From Michael Jordan and Cristiano Ronaldo to Rafael Nadal and Avicii, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev weighed in on the champions who’ve impressed them throughout Thursday’s media day on the Nitto ATP Finals.

Zverev, Alcaraz, Ruud and Rublev will all attempt to change into the final word champion on the prestigious year-end occasion in Turin, the place they compete within the John Newcombe Group. Forward of their opening matches, the quartet took time to debate their idols, sharing their favorite reminiscences.

“Firstly, I might select Rafael Nadal,” stated Alcaraz, who grew up watching his countryman. “In my household, at house, we at all times watch tennis. My father was a participant when he was younger, and there was solely tennis on the TV. Rafa was Spanish and the way in which he performed, the way in which he behaved, impressed me rather a lot. That’s the reason he’s my idol.”

Alcaraz has loved a number of memorable moments with Nadal, most notably on the Paris Olympics in July, when the crew paired in doubles. The 21-year-old has demonstrated his champion qualities all through his early historic profession, turning into the youngest participant to win majors on all three surfaces (Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open).

Away from tennis, the Spaniard was fast to establish Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Jordan as idols.

“I really like Cristiano Ronaldo. The arrogance he has is unbelievable,” Alcaraz stated. “He at all times believes in himself. After I hear he’s the primary participant to go to coaching and the final one to go house, that reveals the exhausting employee he’s and that evokes me rather a lot.

“After which Michael Jordan as effectively. I watched many movies from him. I watched the Netflix sequence from him. His mentality is among the finest mentalities now we have in sport.”

Zverev, a 23-time tour-level titlist, additionally praised Jordan, highlighting the successful mindset of the legend.

“Outdoors of tennis, I might go together with Michael Jordan and Usain Bolt,” Zverev stated. “For me, I take a look at the mindset. I picked Michael Jordan due to his mindset. He did all the things he may in his life and devoted his life to be one of the best he may. Identical factor with Usain Bolt. He devoted his life to turning into the quickest man to ever run.”

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When it got here to tennis, Zverev praised 24-time main champion Novak Djokovic. The Serbian leads Zverev 8-4 within the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence.

“Novak Djokovic is one as a result of I now perceive the extent it took for him to take care of his stage. The professionalism he has exterior the courtroom to be who he’s on courtroom.”

Casper Ruud has maximised his profession with relentless exhausting work. The 12-time tour-level titlist honed in on the ‘Huge Three’ when requested which champions have impressed him.

“I’m going to stay with tennis gamers as a result of they’re those I do know essentially the most and I’ll say Rafa,” Ruud stated. “I grew up idolising him. He motivated me to change into knowledgeable tennis participant and on courtroom he was at all times the most important inspiration and the man I appeared as much as essentially the most.

“I’m going to additionally say Roger. He’s at all times a gentleman and I feel attire so effectively exterior the courtroom. I feel he at all times seems to be trendy, in form and at all times enjoyable to see round. I might additionally usher in Novak so now we have the total Huge Three. Novak’s self-discipline, day in, time out work and making an attempt to enhance and get higher. He by no means sort of goes off his imaginative and prescient, motivation and targets. He lives a busy life however finds an unimaginable stability with psychological well being and vitamin. It’s inspiring to see and I attempt to take slightly bit off this in my life.”

Whereas Ruud targeted on courtroom, Rublev highlighted two music stars who helped him develop when he was youthful.

“Avicii is one as a result of I used to be following him rather a lot and let’s go together with Ronnie James Dio, some old-school rock,” stated Rublev, who selected Marat Safin as his on-court champion. “Avicii and Ronnie have had an affect on my life and the best way to develop and with out understanding them, they’ve made an enormous distinction on me.”

To learn who Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Alex de Minaur picked, click on right here.