As the 2024 ATP Finals draw near, former world No. 3 Ivan Ljubicic has shared his thoughts on who might pose the biggest challenge to current world No. 1, Jannik Sinner. In a surprising assessment, Ljubicic has expressed doubts about **Carlos Alcaraz’s** ability to excel on indoor courts, suggesting that **Alexander Zverev** may actually be a more formidable rival for Sinner in the conditions featured at the Finals.
Ljubicic’s comments underscore the unique challenges of the ATP Finals, a prestigious event that brings together the top eight players from the season for a showdown on indoor hard courts. This year’s competition is scheduled for November 10 to 17 at the **Inalpi Arena** in Turin, Italy. With Sinner, Alcaraz, Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev already securing their spots, the battle for supremacy promises to be intense, but Ljubicic is not convinced that Alcaraz will be the key figure to watch.
### **Alcaraz’s Indoor Struggles**
Carlos Alcaraz, despite his meteoric rise in recent years and his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in tennis, has yet to make a significant mark on indoor courts. The four-time Grand Slam champion has racked up a total of 16 titles across different surfaces—eight on clay, five on outdoor hard courts, and three on grass. However, he has yet to win a single title on indoor hard courts, a fact that raises questions about his adaptability to the unique demands of the surface.
In 2023, Alcaraz’s indoor campaign hit a roadblock at the **Paris Masters**, one of the most prestigious indoor events on the ATP calendar. He suffered a surprise early exit in the second round, losing in straight sets to Roman Safiullin, a match that highlighted his struggles to find his rhythm indoors. Later that year, at his debut ATP Finals, Alcaraz was handed a crushing defeat by Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, falling short in a match that exposed his vulnerabilities on indoor hard courts.
In fact, Alcaraz was initially supposed to compete at the ATP Finals in 2022, but an injury forced him to withdraw, delaying his indoor journey at the year-end championship by another year. These setbacks have contributed to a perception that he has yet to master the psychological and tactical challenges of indoor play.
### **Sinner and Zverev: Strong Contenders Indoors**
In contrast to Alcaraz, both Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev have built formidable reputations on indoor surfaces. Sinner, who currently holds the world No. 1 ranking, has demonstrated consistent excellence on indoor hard courts. Of his 17 career titles, six have come on indoor surfaces, showcasing his comfort and adaptability to the faster, lower-bouncing conditions. Sinner was also the runner-up at last year’s ATP Finals, narrowly missing out on the title in a dramatic showdown in Turin. This impressive track record makes him one of the favorites for the upcoming tournament.
Alexander Zverev, too, has a well-established pedigree on indoor hard courts. The German star has captured seven of his 22 career titles on indoor surfaces, including two significant wins at the ATP Finals—in 2018 and 2021. His success at these year-end championships underscores his ability to perform under pressure in the unique indoor environment, making him a serious contender again this year.
### **Ljubicic’s Analysis: Sinner is the Dark Horse**
Ivan Ljubicic, who is also known for his successful coaching career, including his time with Roger Federer, has shared his perspective on the upcoming ATP Finals. In an interview with Sky Sport Italy, Ljubicic expressed confidence in Jannik Sinner’s chances, labeling him as the “dark horse” of the tournament. Despite Sinner’s world No. 1 status, Ljubicic considers him an underdog in the sense that the Italian player may surprise everyone with an even higher level of performance this year.
“Yes, for me, he [Sinner] is the dark horse,” Ljubicic stated. “Also because Alcaraz still has to convince me on indoor courts. He has a very high level on hard court, but even in Turin last year, he struggled a lot on indoor courts, especially from a mental perspective. Let’s see if that changes this year. If we want to look for someone closer to Jannik, I would say Zverev.”
Ljubicic’s comments highlight not just the physical challenges of indoor play but also the mental aspects that can make or break a player’s performance. The faster pace and lower bounce of indoor courts demand precise shot-making and quick decision-making, areas where Alcaraz still appears to be refining his skills.
### **The Upcoming Paris Masters: A Crucial Test**
The ATP Finals aren’t the only high-stakes indoor tournament on the horizon. The **2024 Paris Masters**, which kicks off on October 28, will provide a crucial test for Alcaraz, Sinner, and Zverev as they fine-tune their form ahead of the Turin showdown. While Sinner and Zverev are expected to excel given their proven indoor credentials, Alcaraz will have another chance to prove that he can rise to the challenge on indoor hard courts.
One significant absence from the Paris Masters this year is Novak Djokovic, who has withdrawn from the tournament. Djokovic’s decision not to compete opens the door for the younger generation to seize the spotlight and gain valuable momentum heading into the ATP Finals. This absence adds an extra layer of intrigue, as Djokovic’s dominance has often been a measuring stick for players like Alcaraz, Sinner, and Zverev. Without the 24-time Grand Slam champion in the mix, the younger stars have a golden opportunity to establish themselves as the new powerhouses of indoor tennis.
### **What Lies Ahead for Alcaraz?**
Carlos Alcaraz’s journey to becoming a well-rounded and dominant player is still in its early stages, and his struggles on indoor courts are part of the natural development process. Many great players have needed time to adapt to the specific demands of indoor play, and Alcaraz’s natural talent and work ethic suggest that it’s only a matter of time before he overcomes these challenges.
As he heads into the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals, all eyes will be on how the young Spaniard adapts his game to the faster, more controlled conditions of indoor courts. Whether he can find success in Turin this year remains to be seen, but his journey will undoubtedly be a focal point of the tournament.
### **Zverev and Sinner: The Favorites Indoors**
Meanwhile, Sinner and Zverev will continue to build on their proven strengths indoors. Sinner’s steady rise to world No. 1 and his ability to thrive in the controlled environment of indoor play make him a strong favorite to clinch his first ATP Finals title. Zverev’s experience, combined with his previous victories at the year-end championship, ensures that he will be a formidable opponent for anyone who crosses his path in Turin.
As the ATP season heads towards its thrilling conclusion, the narrative of young stars battling for supremacy is as captivating as ever. Whether Carlos Alcaraz can finally make his breakthrough on indoor courts or whether Jannik Sinner or Alexander Zverev will assert their dominance remains the burning question as we approach the 2024 ATP Finals.