TURIN, Italy: Novak Djokovic has already carried out nicely sufficient at holding off the rise of the so-known as “Next Gen” by conserving gamers like Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev from profitable extra titles.
Now, for the primary time on the ATP Finals, Djokovic is joined by the three gamers who’re being labeled the “Young Gen.”
Carlos Alcaraz, 20 years previous and already a U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion, is making his debut on the season-ending match for the 12 months’s high eight gamers after lacking the occasion final 12 months with an damage.
Jannik Sinner, 22 and coming in purple sizzling after current titles in China and Vienna, can be taking part in earlier than a house crowd with the Italian ranked a profession-excessive No. 4.
Holger Rune, 20 and already with two wins over Djokovic, will renew his budding rivalry with the 24-time Grand Slam champion within the featured match when the match opens Sunday on the quick indoor courtroom on the Pala Alpitour.
“Thanks for reminding me of the age — Next Gen, Young Gen — I don’t know where I fit it, in which kind of gen group,” the 36-12 months-previous Djokovic mentioned Friday. “Being able to be compete with the young guys is always extra motivation for me, because I know that they are hungry and have big goals and objectives to win these kinds of tournaments. … So that inspires me even more to play my best tennis.”
Djokovic certain has been at his finest these days, using an 18-match profitable streak stretching again to his 5-set loss to Alcaraz within the Wimbledon ultimate in July.
Now Djokovic wants only one extra match win to safe the 12 months-finish No. 1 rating for a file-extending eighth time.
Djokovic can be assembly Rune once more 9 days after overcoming the Danish participant in an almost three-hour contest within the Paris Masters quarterfinals — which got here a 12 months after Rune beat Djokovic within the ultimate of the identical match.
None of the 4 conferences between Djokovic and Rune have led to straight units, with the sequence tied at 2-2.
After their final match, Djokovic mentioned it feels just a little bit like wanting within the mirror when he faces Rune. What’s extra is that Rune now has Boris Becker — considered one of Djokovic’s former coaches — in his field.
“Our games and our styles of tennis are quite similar. We both move well, defend well. He’s a very complete player, and we both bring a lot of intensity and energy to the court,” Djokovic mentioned. “I expect another close match.”
Added Rune: “The key word is keep fighting until the end, because tennis is never over before the last point.”
Sinner first performed within the finals two years in the past as an alternate after Matteo Berrettini was injured.
Having certified this time with weeks to spare, Sinner has grow to be the match’s poster boy and has been mobbed by followers wherever he’s gone since arriving in Turin.
“Obviously it’s a big event here in Italy, being an Italian player,” Sinner mentioned. “I will try to take a lot of positive energy with the crowd. It’s going to be a lot of fun — I have to also enjoy this moment. I know what I’m capable of.”
Sinner performs the match’s opening match towards Tsitsipas on Sunday.
The high two finishers from every 4-man group advance to the semifinals.
Alcaraz missed final 12 months’s finals because of an belly damage and in addition had a brief layoff just lately because of a left foot damage and muscle fatigue in his decrease again.
Then Alcaraz was overwhelmed by Roman Safiullin in straight units in his opening match on the Paris Masters.
“I’m feeling great now. I’m 100%,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I’m really excited to (make) my debut here and do it at 100%.”
Green group: Novak Djokovic (1), Jannik Sinner (4), Stefanos Tsitsipas (6), Holger Rune (8).
Red Group: Carlos Alcaraz (2), Daniil Medvedev (3), Andrey Rublev (5), Alexander Zverev (7).
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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
