The incomplete quota of the masters – Novak Djokovic will land in the city this Sunday, after the dispute in the final of the Athens tournament, and the eighth name will be decided on the horn, between Lorenzo Musetti and Felix Auger-Aliassime – is noticeable among the elegant reddish design of the Teatro Regio in Turin, where one after the other the protagonists enter and the story points to two clear protagonists: once again Carlos Alcaraz (22 years old) and Jannik Sinner (24). Who else? Ahead, days of mathematics and tennis on the line, due to the small margin of error offered by the Masters Cup format, and another episode of friction between the Spaniard and the Italian, with the title and the throne up in the air. A better ending is difficult.
The other reacted to every shot of one, resolving the season photo finish and when everyone competes with their tongues out. Everyone, without exception, supports what is right. This year, Alcaraz says he’s better, physically and mentally fresher, but he already knows firsthand the wrongdoings of competition and the difficulties involved in the indoor game, so he’s cautious. Guard up: A cold hit him last year and he fell to the net in the group stage, and two weeks ago he suffered a notable slip at the Paris Masters, beaten at the first opportunity by Cameron Norrie. Integrated in the initial phase with Djokovic, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Miñaur, the Murcian releases his usual optimistic and casual gesture in the preamble.
He wears a chain and a bracelet with black stones – “there are days when it’s time” -, he is well – strong and thin, less weight than in previous years – and, in response to the joke, he counterattacks: “The days I was in Murcia, I covered myself up to here…”, he says, pointing to his throat. “But that’s all, huh?” This time, no congestion, snot or cough, and a coincidence in the form of a wink: 16 years ago, way back in 2009, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer also trained together two days before the premiere, respectively as one and two in the world. “Wow! Well, the truth is, I had no idea… But this tournament is unique, because here are the eight best and it gives you this opportunity. It’s not the first time I train with him nor will it be the last, because we train each other,” he replies.
Yes, the calculations are clear for him: three victories would guarantee him a protagonist’s end to the season. On the contrary, all that remains for Sinner is to win – just like a year ago – and trust that his opponent does not add what is necessary; those 500 points that Alcaraz has between his eyebrows, this with a good feeling. “Good, I feel quite good. Physically we are improving, especially with the ankle problem (the sprain that occurred a month and a half ago in Tokyo), and I feel more and more calm and free in my movements. We are taking care of ourselves as much as possible to compete with guarantees here and in Davis, and in training I see myself at a good level”, continues the one from El Palmar, ready to correct himself.
anomalous photo
The defeat against Norrie in Paris was a warning, even if the climate between that stage and Turin is different. “I think it was something specific. There may have been bad days, but above all it was that, beyond the fact that I didn’t play well that day, the way I approached the match tactically was wrong”, he answers the question posed by EL PAÍS, in the room dedicated to soprano Maria Callas; “I didn’t have good feelings, I always wanted to move forward and at the beginning I made a lot of mistakes. The nice thing is that it gives you strength feedback It’s necessary to know what to train for, and I’m putting it into practice these days to get off to a good start. I’m not worried about that game at all, but I just take it as something specific. “We will try to prevent this from happening again.”
At La Défense he found a surface relatively similar to that of the Inalpi Arena, where Sinner’s infinite flight under the record indoor —26 straight wins since November 2023—instills more than just respect. Nobody moves like the Tyrolean on this record. No one has beaten him since Djokovic did it in the Turin final. From there five trophies safe and the clear feeling of being the man to beat. “But I know that if Carlos plays very well I have no chance, regardless of my results”, says the Sancandido, who lands in the lead but will lose on Monday, given the update of the list. The points fly and Alcaraz virtually takes the lead.
Sinner also talks about freedom, about mobilization while simply being yourself. Off with the corsets. After all, it is the last match in 2025. “The key to playing tennis well is to try to be as free as possible,” he extends. “Actually I always think I’m number two, so I have to work. The numbers are there, but I try to motivate myself in other ways. I know I’m strong on this type of court, but as soon as you relax a bit everything becomes complicated”, says the local tennis player, while he and Alcaraz joke and argue in good spirits in front of the court. Royal Gardens of Turin, snatching the trophy one after the other. Between them, good friends and trials. “Why not?” says the Spaniard when night has fallen, still eager for battle.
He and the rest of the protagonists parade through the historic center impeccably dressed, while lining up for an unusual, anomalous and compromising photo: there are six of them, instead of eight. System failures. Djokovic’s presence in the final in Athens this Saturday (2pm, Movistar+) also coincided with that of Musetti, who, if he won, would beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fight for the eighth ticket. The Serbian has not yet confirmed his presence – the president of the Italian Federation (FITP) denied it two days ago: “I will decide after the tournament (in Athens)” – and the local player would have reached the limit, while the fuchsia neons are already bouncing off the beauty of Turin, baroque and neoclassical together. liberty style. In harmony, the two of us, always.
HYBRID AND NEW PROGRAM
CA | Turin
In this edition Alcaraz, Fritz, Djokovic and De Miñaur are part of the first group, Sinner, Zverev, Shelton and Musetti/Aliassime of the other. The top two in each will qualify for the semi-finals. Contrary to usual, events finally changed the course of the tournament.
The imbalances forced the organization to postpone the announcement of the program for the first day. Without yet knowing who the eighth participant is and given Djokovic’s hasty landing, the ATP has finally announced that it will opt for a mixed solution. In short, new.
Traditionally, matches corresponding to the same group were played every day. This time, however, one (Jimmy Connors Group) and another (Björn Borg Group) will join together, so that on Sunday (2pm, Movistar+) Alcaraz will raise the curtain against De Miñaur and tonight (8.30pm) it will be the turn of Zverev and Shelton.
The next day Djokovic will face Fritz (2pm) and Sinner will face Musetti or Auger-Aliassime (8.30pm). Sinner is in fact at the mercy of what Alcaraz does, who would secure number one at the end of the race in the following cases:
TO. If Sinner wins all five matches, Alcaraz must win three: fully in the group stage; a 2+1, i.e. two groups and access to the final; or a 1+2, one of the groups and reach the final.
B. If Sinner wins the title with a defeat, Alcaraz will have to win two matches.
C. If Sinner wins the title with two defeats, Alcaraz just needs to win one match.
D. If Sinner doesn’t win the title, Alcaraz will finish the season on top, whatever he does.
