Post by : Maya Rahman

Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his ATP Finals campaign with a commanding straight-set victory over Australia's Alex de Minaur, finishing 7-6(5), 6-2 in his first round-robin match. The Spanish top seed, who previously struggled to secure wins on his opening day, expressed his delight at finally starting with a triumph. “I’m just really, really happy with the level I played today,” remarked Alcaraz. “First matches are never easy, so this one is significant for me.”

This victory marks Alcaraz's inaugural win at the ATP Finals on his first match day. Reflecting on the achievement, he noted, “After the match, I recognized it was my first win in the round-robin on day one.” His performance revealed a strong command over pivotal points, especially during the second set against De Minaur.

Alcaraz’s sense of relief deepened when he found out that seven-time ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic had pulled out of the tournament due to injury, just hours after defeating Musetti in Athens. Consequently, Musetti, hailing from Italy, slots in for Djokovic in the group stage, joining Alcaraz in the Jimmy Connors Group, alongside Taylor Fritz.

When questioned about facing Musetti instead of Djokovic, Alcaraz expressed his thoughts candidly. “To be honest, I prefer Lorenzo. I won’t lie about that,” he smiled. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Djokovic’s extensive experience and prowess indoors, explaining, “Playing against someone like Novak is always formidable. I lost to him in 2023 despite feeling great, but he still dominated.”

Musetti, only 23, got an opportunity to participate in the ATP Finals thanks to Djokovic's withdrawal. Although he faced Djokovic in a grueling nearly three-hour match in Athens, he was next up for qualification and accepted the last-minute call. Unlike Alcaraz, however, Musetti didn’t have the chance to train at the indoor court in Turin’s Inalpi Arena prior to the tournament.

While relieved at not facing Djokovic, Alcaraz acknowledged Musetti’s talents and accomplishments. “If he’s in, he deserves it,” Alcaraz noted. “He’s demonstrated a high level this year. It’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts, given he just arrived from Athens and hasn’t yet felt the court experience.” The Spaniard highlighted the potential threat posed by Musetti's agile style and dexterity indoors.

Musetti commented on the unexpected circumstances of Djokovic’s withdrawal, admitting it was surprising that the seven-time champion played a tournament so close to the Finals. “I find it odd that he was competing literally the week before the Masters,” Musetti stated. “When he informed me post-match that he wouldn’t be coming, we shared a laugh about it.”

The event where Djokovic competed before withdrawing is family-owned, taking place in both Athens and his hometown of Belgrade. While Djokovic’s decision sparked discussions among fans, Musetti clarified that he perceived nothing untoward. “He acted completely within ATP regulations,” he affirmed, emphasizing that Djokovic's decision was a personal matter.

With Djokovic absent, Alcaraz's pathway to potentially finishing as world number one appears more attainable. To secure this, he must reach the finals with at least one round-robin win or sweep all three matches. His assertive and consistent performance in Turin could pave the way for this ambition.

Next up for Alcaraz are matches against Taylor Fritz and Lorenzo Musetti. With one win already in the bag, he approaches these encounters with mounting self-assurance. Fans in Turin are eager to see if the 21-year-old can clinch his first ATP Finals trophy and finish the season on a triumphant note.

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