Just days before the ATP Finals in Turin, the spotlight was already on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Though they’re rivals in the race for the year-end No. 1 ranking, rumors spread on Friday morning that they planned to train together. That afternoon, they walked onto the stadium court side by side, met with thunderous cheers from a large crowd.
Their practice set drew as much attention as many official matches this year. Thousands watched the live stream, and highlights were quickly shared afterward. While practice scores usually stay private, this time the tennis world soon learned that Sinner won 6-3. They marked the moment with a selfie that went viral on social media.
This is their tour now. Even after Alcaraz lost early to Cameron Norrie at the Paris Masters, the trend continued with Sinner’s win: every time both have played a tournament this year, one of them has taken the title. Often, including in the last three Grand Slams, they’ve met in the final.
After years of hype about future stars, these two have already become all-time greats at a young age. But their success also highlights the gap between them and the rest of the field. Heading into the ATP Finals, the big question is whether anyone can seriously challenge Alcaraz and Sinner.
Right now, the outlook for others isn’t bright. Alexander Zverev, ranked third, has less than half the points of Alcaraz in second. Zverev is one of the best players without a Grand Slam title, but he’s been outplayed by Sinner and Alcaraz in key matches, and the gap seems to be widening. Since Sinner dominated him at the Australian Open, Zverev’s season has been underwhelming.
Novak Djokovic, with semi-final runs in all four Slams this year, is likely the third-best player. He might have a better shot against Sinner and Alcaraz in shorter indoor matches than in deep Slam runs, but he’s playing the Athens final on Saturday and hasn’t confirmed if he’ll compete in Turin. The five matches he’s played this week could hurt his chances in Italy.
There are more doubts about the rest. Taylor Fritz has had a strong year, breaking into the top five. His mental toughness, steady progress, and well-rounded game are impressive, but he seems to be maximizing his current level rather than having the upside to close the gap on the top two.
Ben Shelton, the youngest of the challengers in his first ATP Finals, is a fascinating addition. With his powerful serve, aggressive all-court play, and athleticism, he has huge potential. However, weaknesses in his backhand and return have been easily exploited by Alcaraz and Sinner.
Alex de Minaur has made the ATP Finals for the second time, a commendable feat, but his game lacks the firepower to trouble the very best. The final spot will be decided on Saturday. If Lorenzo Musetti beats Djokovic to win the Athens ATP 250 event, he will secure his place.He would surpass the in-form Félix Auger-Aliassime in the ATP race to secure the last automatic spot for the finals.
The players missing from Turin are just as noteworthy. The recent struggles of Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Andrey Rublev—all once steady top-10 players—haven’t helped matters. Injuries have also taken a toll: Jack Draper, in the middle of a standout season, and the highly talented 21-year-old Arthur Fils, who appeared to be having a breakthrough year, are both out, weakening the group of contenders. No one else has managed to fill the gap.
For anyone besides Sinner and Alcaraz, the chances of winning this year’s ATP Finals seem slim. Still, in a tournament that brings together the world’s best players, with the two favorites under immense pressure, every match offers an opportunity for the underdogs to prove themselves. The coming days will reveal if anyone is ready to rise to the occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about the potential challenge to the dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz framed around the ATP Finals
General Beginner Questions
1 Who are Sinner and Alcaraz and why are they considered dominant
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are the two youngest and most successful top players in mens tennis They have won major titles and consistently beat other top rivals making them the faces of the sports new generation
2 What are the ATP Finals
The ATP Finals is the prestigious yearend tournament featuring only the top 8 ranked mens singles players of the season Its a roundrobin event followed by knockout stages often considered the fifth most important tournament after the four Grand Slams
3 Why are the ATP Finals a good test to see if they can be challenged
Because it pits them directly against the other seven best players in the world in a highpressure indoor environment There are no easy matches so any weakness is exposed
4 Who are the main players that could challenge them at the Finals
The primary challengers are the other Big players Novak Djokovic Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev These players have the experience and powerful games to defeat anyone
Advanced Strategic Questions
5 What specific weaknesses could challengers exploit in Sinner and Alcarazs games
Alcaraz He can sometimes be overly aggressive leading to unforced errors His serve while improved can be attacked by top returners
Sinner He can be vulnerable to high heavy topspin shots to his onehanded backhand and his net play though improving is not his primary strength
6 How does the indoor court condition at the ATP Finals affect the challenge
The fast indoor hard court favors big servers and aggressive flat hitters This could help powerful challengers like Zverev or Medvedev who can hit through the court and give Sinner and Alcaraz less time to react
7 Besides the other Big players is there a dark horse who could cause an upset
Yes players
