Carlos Alcaraz will step onto the courts once again at Turin next week. He will be playing at the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. Overall, Alcaraz has had a great season but has been struggling in recent matches. He has now received words of encouragement from his idol, Rafael Nadal, before the start of the season-ending championship.
Nadal has been off the tour since the Australian Open this year and is expected to return next season. The former world No.1 commented on a video where Alcaraz talked about wanting to become like Nadal. The video was seen by Nadal, and he commented ‘Big hug and good luck in Turin.” Alcaraz will need the wishes of his inspiration to pull out a magical victory at the Nitto ATP Finals.
The 37-year-old has played at the prestigious venue on 11 occasions. It has been one big title that has been missing in his trophy cabinet. Now Alcaraz has a chance to win the trophy and can do it in front of Nadal. The Nitto ATP Finals will begin on November 12. The two groups have been announced; four players will be in the red group and the others in the green group.
Carlos Alcaraz hoping to turn around form with title win at Turin
As the stage is set for the round-robin matches, Alcaraz is the favorite to top the red group. The 20-year-old will face off against Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, and Andrey Rublev. Medvedev won the event in 2020 and Zverev in 2018 and 2021. Rublev reached the semifinals last year for the first time while losing to Casper Ruud.
The two-time Grand Slam champion has a 50 percent winning ratio against Medvedev and Zverev. Meanwhile, Rublev will play against Alcaraz for the first time on tour. The young Spaniard will prepare himself to counter Rublev’s heavy groundstrokes on the hard court. Medvedev had beaten Alcaraz in their previous meeting at the US Open, while Zverev lost to him in their earlier meeting at the same event.
Carlos meets Andrey 🔥@carlosalcaraz @AndreyRublev97
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 9, 2023
The world No.2 currently has a 1490-point deficit over Novak Djokovic. The rankings are at stake at the Nitto ATP Finals as Djokovic looks to finish the year on top. Alcaraz can only take over the rankings crown if he takes the title at Turin. The group stage matches will be crucial for Alcaraz and Djokovic, as each win will bring them closer to their common goal.