Carlos Alcaraz is making ready for his debut on the Nitto ATP Finals, the place he’ll face Casper Ruud tomorrow. It’s no secret that the Spanish participant doesn’t like indoor situations, which don’t enable him to make use of all these variations that make his recreation so harmful and which have allowed him to win so many titles at simply 21 years outdated.
The previous world No. 1 feels higher than final 12 months, when he performed in Turin with little vitality and was actually demolished by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic within the semifinals. In 2024, the 21-year-old from Murcia has performed higher than final 12 months within the latter a part of the season. The 4-time Grand Slam champion lifted the trophy within the prestigious event in Beijing and reached the quarterfinals within the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, earlier than being defeated by Jannik Sinner within the remaining of the ‘Six Kings Slam’ in Saudi Arabia.
Carlitos took a step again on the Rolex Paris Masters, the final Masters 1000 of the season, through which he struggled loads because of the very quick floor and was eradicated already within the spherical of 16 by native idol Ugo Humbert. The present world No. 3 will probably be hoping to get a great consequence on the ATP Finals, earlier than flying to Malaga for the Davis Cup Finals.
Alcaraz’s schedule
The Davis Cup Finals will probably be essential for Alcaraz this 12 months. The Spanish ace will attempt to drag his nation to victory in Malaga, being the undisputed chief of his workforce. On the identical time, the previous world No. 1 desires to provide the final pleasure of his profession to his illustrious compatriot Rafael Nadal who will retire on the finish of the occasion.
In an extended interview with MARCA earlier than the beginning of the ATP Finals, Carlitos talked about Rafa’s retirement: “I do know that the choice has already been made. I requested him if it was a tricky day when he introduced his retirement, if it was a tricky choice to make.” The younger Spaniard additionally added: “He mentioned sure, however it’s a choice that has been fastidiously thought out as a result of these choices usually are not taken frivolously. It was thought out together with his household, together with his workforce, these are his emotions. If somebody had informed me that I had an opportunity of convincing him to proceed, I’d have carried out it and I’d have tried as a result of I do not wish to see him off the observe but,” the four-time Grand Slam champion mentioned.
Rennae Stubbs on Carlos’ angle
If he desires to attain an enormous lead to Turin and Malaga, Alcaraz should present progresses in indoor situations. The 4-time Grand Slam champion is inferior to Sinner and Zverev in these particular situations and practiced arduous on the Ferrero Tennis Academy earlier than arriving in Turin. In response to the newest rumors, the organizers of the ATP Finals have made the floor slower than final 12 months.
Within the newest version of her well-known podcast, former coach Rennae Stubbs commented on Carlos’ angle on indoor arduous courts: “In case you have a quick court docket, you may come into the web as a result of it’s more durable to regulate your place to hit a profitable passing shot while you’re getting rushed. So, quick courts indoors, sorry Carlos, you’re going to have to regulate your recreation. If not, you’re not gonna win indoors. It’s the identical as Rafa.
Rafa needed to regulate his type of tennis on grass again within the day when the grass was a little bit bit faster. When it began slowing down, he began standing on the baseline, flattening out his forehand, flattening out his serve. As a result of he knew if, ‘I wanna win Wimbledon, I’ve to play to the grass’ velocity.’ And he gained Wimbledon. He was the kind of participant that adjusted his recreation to win on quick surfaces.”
Alcaraz will attempt to break the curse of Spanish gamers on the ATP Finals, as Rafa Nadal has by no means gained this event. Carlitos is taken into account by bookmakers to be the second favourite to elevate the trophy subsequent Sunday, behind world No. 1 Sinner. The Spaniard has been positioned in the identical group as Sascha Zverev – who gained in Turin in 2021 and has simply triumphed on the Rolex Paris Masters – Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev.
In latest days, the 21-year-old from Murcia has been working towards with Medvedev, Zverev and Fritz as a result of he wished to seek out the precise feeling with this floor. The Spanish ace has gained 4 titles in 2024: the Indian Wells Masters 1000, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the Beijing ATP 500.
