As the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin approach, former world No. 2 Alex Corretja believes Carlos Alcaraz is in an ideal position to make an impact, despite his recent early exit at the Paris Masters. While some might be concerned about Alcaraz’s recent form—he has only claimed one title since his historic Wimbledon win in July—Corretja isn’t worried. In fact, he sees potential benefits from the Spaniard’s surprise third-round loss in Paris, suggesting that Alcaraz could arrive in Italy with a mental and physical advantage.
Alcaraz, 21, has endured a somewhat mixed second half of the season. After his dazzling summer, which saw him capture both the French Open and Wimbledon titles, the world No. 3 has only been able to secure one tournament victory—at the China Open in early October. He added a prestigious Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells back in the spring, but since then, his results have been inconsistent. Most notably, he suffered an unexpected loss to Frenchman Ugo Humbert at the Paris Masters last week, falling in the third round to the eventual runner-up. For many, the loss raised questions about Alcaraz’s form heading into the season-ending event in Turin, where the best of the best will compete for the prestigious ATP Finals crown.
However, Corretja remains unfazed. Speaking to Eurosport, the Spanish tennis expert emphasized that despite the defeat in Paris, the timing of the ATP Finals could actually work in Alcaraz’s favor. “Alcaraz is going to arrive in Turin at a great time,” Corretja said. “Why? Because he has recently won some tournaments on hard courts, including a huge win over Jannik Sinner in the final of the China Open, which always gives you a confidence boost. The fact that he didn’t play his best tennis in Paris isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The conditions in Paris were very fast, and that didn’t suit his game as much.”
Alcaraz’s loss in Paris was disappointing, but it means he hasn’t had the grind of a deep run in the latter stages of a tournament. This, Corretja believes, will help the young Spaniard enter the ATP Finals with fresh legs and a clear mind. “I think he will be fresher than last year. In 2023, he was mentally exhausted after an intense season, and physically, he wasn’t quite at his best in the ATP Finals. But now he has had more time to recover, and I believe he has learned from last year,” Corretja continued.
The 2023 ATP Finals were a memorable experience for Alcaraz, who reached the semifinals in his debut appearance. He had been forced to withdraw from the event the year before due to injury, so his run to the final four last year was a sign of his growing stature on the tour. However, he was ultimately beaten by Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, in a match that highlighted the gulf in experience between the two.
This year, Alcaraz will be looking to improve on that performance and make a real push for the title in Turin. Despite his relatively young age, he has already established himself as one of the brightest stars in men’s tennis, with his combination of power, flair, and mental fortitude. And with Djokovic, the defending champion, out of the event due to injury, Alcaraz will feel that there is an opportunity to seize the moment.
Corretja, who knows what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of tennis, has full confidence in Alcaraz’s ability to rise to the occasion. “I trust him completely,” said Corretja. “He is a player full of energy, passion, and explosiveness—qualities that are perfect for big events like the ATP Finals. All of his matches will be tough, no question about it, but I believe the tournament will motivate him even more. He thrives in high-pressure situations, and that’s exactly what the Finals are all about. In this respect, Alcaraz is a master.”
Corretja also added that, while it’s hard to predict whether this year will be Alcaraz’s time to win in Turin, he is certain that the Spaniard will eventually claim the prestigious ATP Finals title in his career. “I don’t know if it will happen this year, but I’m convinced that at some point in his career, Alcaraz will triumph in one of these events. He has everything required to win big tournaments.”
Alcaraz will enter the ATP Finals with the No. 3 ranking in the world, behind Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Germany’s Alexander Zverev. Although Sinner and Zverev are both formidable opponents, Alcaraz’s explosive game and mental toughness make him a dangerous contender in any field. With Djokovic withdrawing from the tournament due to injury, the door is wide open for other players to make their mark in Turin, and many believe Alcaraz could be the one to take advantage.
The 2024 ATP Finals will begin on Sunday, November 10, with the final scheduled for Sunday, November 17. The group stage draw will take place on Thursday, November 7, and fans are eagerly anticipating which big names will face off in the opening rounds of what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the ATP season. With Alcaraz arriving fresh and motivated, many are expecting the Spaniard to make a serious challenge for the title and cement his status as one of the game’s most exciting young talents.
As Corretja put it: “All eyes will be on him in Turin, and I’m confident he’ll give us something special.”