ATP Finals Groupings Announced
In anticipation of the upcoming ATP Finals, the groupings were announced, igniting discussions among top players about their preferences. Alexander Zverev, who is part of the Bjorn Borg Group alongside Jannik Sinner, didn’t hesitate to express his desire to have Carlos Alcaraz in his group instead. Zverev, the reigning champion who triumphed over Taylor Fritz last year, previously finished as the runner-up to Novak Djokovic in 2023.
Alcaraz’s Uncertain Participation
Alcaraz, who is slotted in a different group that also includes the veteran Djokovic, faces uncertainty regarding his participation, particularly with Djokovic contemplating competing at the 2025 Athens Open, which raises questions about his involvement in the ATP Finals so soon after. Zverev’s group also features emerging talent Ben Shelton, and their clash on Sunday is anticipated to be a thrilling encounter between two of the ATP Tour’s top servers.
Press Conference Highlights
Ahead of the tournament kickoff, the players gathered for a press conference where journalists posed questions about their group preferences. As Shelton addressed whether he would rather compete against Sinner or Alcaraz, he highlighted his excitement to play in Italy, expressing:
“It’s my first time playing here at this event in Italy. I’m someone who likes big crowds, and feeling the energy of the crowd, whether it’s with me or against me. I thought it would be a cool experience to play an Italian in Turin.”
This diplomatic response contrasted starkly with Zverev’s straightforward answer—“Carlos,” he stated, eliciting laughter from Shelton and the audience alike as they shared a knowing look.
Zverev’s Candidness and Controversies
Zverev’s candidness is refreshing in a sport often marked by political correctness, and he has previously acknowledged the prowess of both Sinner and Alcaraz, noting Sinner’s superior indoor performance. However, Zverev’s past comments at the 2025 Shanghai Masters caused ripples, where he suggested that courts were intentionally slowed to favor Alcaraz and Sinner—a claim reminiscent of remarks made by tennis legend Roger Federer. Critics pointed out that the Shanghai Masters resulted in an unexpected victory for Valentin Vacherot, a player ranked outside the Top 200, inadvertently undermining Zverev’s earlier comments.
