Carlos Alcaraz on His Journey at the ATP Finals

During the media day of the ATP Finals, four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz shared his thoughts on competing among the world’s top players. Alcaraz, grouped with Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Andrey Rublev, expressed his ambition:

“I would really like to lift this prestigious trophy one day. It is only the second time I play in Turin, and playing with the best seven players in the world really means a lot. Being here is a goal that I have been chasing since the beginning of the season.”

Why Italian Fans Love Alcaraz Despite His Rivalry with Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz acknowledged the support he receives from Italian fans, despite his ongoing rivalry with Jannik Sinner:

“I honestly don’t know why so many Italian fans continue to love me so much despite my rivalry with Jannik. Maybe it’s my personality or just my style of tennis, but it’s true that I feel the passion of the fans in Italy. Italians love sports, not just tennis.”

Alcaraz Focused on ATP Finals, Not Davis Cup

Alcaraz emphasized his current focus on the ATP Finals, leaving thoughts of the Davis Cup aside for now:

“I don’t want to think about Davis at the moment. It’s difficult for me to accept Rafa Nadal’s retirement. I’m focused on the ATP Finals, and I’ll think about Malaga when the time comes.”

Jannik Sinner Reflects on Rivalry and Italian Tennis Growth

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Sinner’s Outlook for the ATP Finals

Drawn in the Ilie Nastase Group with Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Alex de Minaur, Jannik Sinner shared his excitement for the tournament:

“It’s a special tournament for us. We make a lot of sacrifices to be here, and to get there, you have to beat the best in the world even in the group stage. Many things have changed in 12 months, but my approach remains the same.”

Reflecting on Italian Tennis Growth

Sinner acknowledged Italy’s rising status in tennis, reflecting on the achievements of players like Fabio Fognini, Matteo Berrettini, Lorenzo Musetti, and others:

“Since we won the Davis Cup last year, tennis in Italy has grown. The goal is always to make this sport grow, which is very beautiful.”

Alcaraz-Sinner Rivalry: Too Early to Call?

Despite their recent successes, Sinner believes it’s too early to define his rivalry with Alcaraz:

“We are still young, and although we’ve won two Slams each this year, we still have a lot ahead of us. We hope it will be a great tournament for the crowd, but it’s too early to talk about a rivalry.”

Clostebol Controversy: Sinner Faces Potential Disqualification

The Clostebol Case

While Sinner’s on-court performance has been remarkable, off-court controversies linger, specifically regarding the Clostebol doping case. The Italian player risks a disqualification that could last 1-2 years, with fans anxiously awaiting updates.

Massimiliano Ambesi’s Take on the Case

Eurosport journalist Massimiliano Ambesi weighed in on the matter, citing previous cases of potential contamination and calling for a balanced approach to anti-doping policies:

“This is not the fight against doping; it is persecution. When this happens, there is a problem.”