After his early exit at the Paris Masters, Carlos Alcaraz has decided to go back to the drawing board and has made a huge decision to prepare for the ATP Finals. Alcaraz, who dropped to third place in the ATP rankings on Monday, was eliminated in the third round of the Paris Masters by Ugo Humbert.
The 21-year-old expressed frustration with the indoor conditions at the Accor Arena, citing them as a recurring challenge throughout his career. Having reached the semifinals of the ATP Finals in his debut last year, he returns to Turin with hopes of advancing even further. This is the third time he has qualified for the season-ending finale. He missed out in 2022 due to a season-ending injury but was able to finish the season as the world #1.
To ensure Alcaraz is fully prepared for the unique indoor conditions in Turin, coach Juan Carlos Ferrero has implemented a strategic training plan. Reports from the Spanish site Marca revealed that the Ferrero Tennis Academy has installed a court with the same surface used at the ATP Finals, giving Alcaraz the chance to adjust to its specific characteristics. According to Marca, the 21-year-old will stay at his training base in Villena until Wednesday before traveling to Turin.
The extra practice on the Turin-style court reflects Ferrero’s confidence that this tailored preparation will enhance Alcaraz’s game on the challenging indoor surface. Notably, the Spaniard has yet to secure an indoor title and has struggled to adapt to the Paris Masters courts, citing their unusually fast surface as a significant obstacle after his loss to Humbert. In his post-match comments, he shared his surprise at the speed of the court, saying, “I came here with not too many days. Probably, I had to come earlier to get used to these conditions, but I didn’t.” This reflection underscores the importance of Ferrero’s preparation strategy.
Alcaraz’s 2024 season has been remarkable. After being unable to start the year with a victory in Melbourne, he captured his first French Open title and his second Wimbledon title, bringing his total Grand Slam count to four. Currently ranked #3, the 21-year-old has compiled an impressive 50-11 season record and claimed high-profile victories at Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the China Open.
Heading into the ATP Finals, he joins an elite field that includes Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and Taylor Fritz. He is looking to join Novak Djokovic, Zverev, Medvedev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas as active winners of the ATP Finals. It should be noted that his long-term idol Rafael Nadal was never able to win the ATP Finals himself, being on the losing side in two finals.
