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Sinner, Alcaraz Headline ATP Finals as Djokovic Withdraws

The ATP Finals are set to kick off this Sunday with an exciting match-up in Turin, Italy. For the first time in nearly 25 years, none of the “Big Three”—Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal—will participate, marking a new era in men’s tennis. Leading the field are top-ranked Jannik Sinner and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who evenly split this year’s Grand Slam titles, each winning two. Fans are hoping the two will face off again in this high-stakes tournament.

Draw Details and Round-Robin Format

• Date: Draw for the eight-man event will be held on Thursday.
• Format: Players are divided into two groups for the round-robin stage. The top two players from each group advance to the semifinals.

Joining Sinner and Alcaraz in the tournament are Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur, and Andrey Rublev.

Notable Absence: Novak Djokovic Withdraws Due to Injury

This year’s tournament will miss the defending champion Novak Djokovic, who withdrew due to an unspecified injury. Djokovic, a seven-time ATP Finals winner, claimed the title last year by defeating Sinner.

Did You Know?

• This season is the first since 2002 without a Grand Slam title for Djokovic, Federer, or Nadal.
• Federer, who retired in 2022, won the event six times.
• Nadal, set to retire after this year’s Davis Cup, was twice a runner-up at the finals but never clinched the title.

Sinner’s Doping Case and Preparation in Turin

Playing in front of his home crowd, Sinner is already drawing significant attention. This marks his first match in Italy since his doping case came to light. Although initially cleared, the decision was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, with a final ruling expected early next year.

Sinner withdrew from last week’s Paris Masters due to illness but arrived early in Turin to train. “This is for me the main event of the end of the year,” Sinner commented.

Year in Review: Sinner vs. Alcaraz

• Grand Slam Wins: Sinner claimed the Australian Open and U.S. Open titles, making history as the first Italian man in nearly 50 years to win a Grand Slam.
• Alcaraz took home the French Open and Wimbledon trophies, raising his Grand Slam total to four.
• Head-to-Head: Alcaraz has won all three official meetings against Sinner this year and holds a 6-4 career lead.

Recently, Sinner defeated Alcaraz in an exhibition match at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.

Other Top Contenders and Prize Money

• Zverev and Medvedev are the only two players in the tournament with previous ATP Finals titles, with Zverev in solid form following his Paris Masters victory.
• Prize Pool: The ATP Finals offer the largest prize in men’s tennis. A player who goes undefeated and wins the trophy will earn $4.8 million—significantly more than the $3.6 million Sinner earned at the U.S. Open or the $3.45 million Alcaraz earned at Wimbledon.

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