Carlos Alcaraz suffered a stunning straight-set defeat to Casper Ruud in his opening match at the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin. The young Spaniard, widely regarded as one of the top contenders in the tournament, struggled to find his rhythm as Ruud secured a commanding 6-1, 7-5 victory. This unexpected loss sent shockwaves through the tennis world, given Alcaraz’s consistent dominance over the Norwegian in their previous encounters.
Coming into the ATP Finals, Ruud had been in poor form, having lost seven of his last eight matches. This record made him a heavy underdog against Alcaraz, who had defeated him in all four of their previous meetings, including high-stakes encounters such as the 2022 US Open final and the Miami Masters final. However, on this day, it was Ruud who seized the moment, displaying a blend of confidence, resilience, and tactical precision.
The match began with Ruud making a statement of intent. He broke Alcaraz twice in the first set while fending off all five break points he faced. The Norwegian, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, showed no signs of the struggles that had plagued him in recent months. Ruud’s strong serves, consistent baseline play, and precise shot-making left Alcaraz scrambling. The Spaniard, who is known for his agility and counterpunching ability, appeared unusually erratic and unable to counter Ruud’s aggressive play. The first set was over quickly, with Ruud taking it 6-1, a result few could have predicted.
The second set initially saw a different Alcaraz. Determined to bounce back, the 21-year-old world No. 3 built a 5-2 lead and seemed poised to push the match into a decider. Alcaraz’s shots had more depth and pace, and he was finding his targets with greater consistency. His forehand, which had been misfiring in the first set, began to click, and he appeared to have regained his confidence. However, just when it looked like Alcaraz had turned the tide, Ruud mounted a remarkable comeback.
With his back against the wall, Ruud held serve to make it 5-3 and then broke Alcaraz in a tense ninth game, capitalizing on a series of uncharacteristic errors from the Spaniard. Alcaraz, who had been battling a cold and wore a nose strip during practice sessions leading up to the tournament, seemed to struggle with his energy levels. Ruud then held his serve comfortably and broke Alcaraz once more, clinching five consecutive games to seal the second set 7-5. The victory marked Ruud’s first win over Alcaraz and was a testament to his resilience and tactical prowess.
Reflecting on his win, Ruud acknowledged the challenge of playing an opponent who was not at full fitness but stressed that it was part of the competitive nature of professional sports. “I kind of knew he was maybe dealing with a bit of a cold. I saw him sniffling around in the area here, always with a tissue for his nose,” Ruud said in his on-court interview. “That’s a sign that maybe physically he won’t be necessarily at 100%. Of course, that’s sad and not good for him. But it’s also part of the game.”
Ruud elaborated on the mental challenge of facing an opponent in less-than-ideal physical condition. “When you know someone isn’t 100%, you get stressed. You think, ‘Oh, this is a really big chance for me to win.’ I tried to stay in my world, the moment. Luckily, I got a good start. Second set, I was able to turn it around and play some good tennis at the end.”
For Ruud, this victory held special significance. The 25-year-old has enjoyed success in Turin before and was thrilled to find his form again in front of the passionate Italian crowd. “Everyone knows how fantastic Carlos is as a player and a person. I never beat him before. So I’m very happy to beat him at least one time,” Ruud said, expressing genuine respect for his opponent. “I had good times in Turin before. It feels amazing to be back here. Italian fans are always amazing. They always do a great job. I feel very welcome and very good here.”
Ruud’s victory over Alcaraz was not only an impressive individual win but also a much-needed boost after a challenging period. “It’s only one match, but it’s one of the best wins of the season in terms of who I am playing and his ranking,” Ruud declared. “I feel really happy. Of course, I think we have seen Carlos play better tennis, but I took care of my chances.”
On the other side, Alcaraz’s defeat raised questions about his fitness and readiness for the grueling demands of the ATP Finals. His health had been a concern ahead of the event, and while he fought valiantly, it was evident that he was not at his peak. Nevertheless, the young Spaniard will look to regroup and find his best form as the tournament progresses. For Ruud, this victory is a reminder of his potential to challenge the best in the world, and he will undoubtedly seek to build on this momentum as he advances through the competition in Turin.