As the WTA Finals wrap up in Riyadh, the tennis spotlight shifts to Turin, where the ATP Finals promise another week of high-stakes battles. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner headline a stacked field, each chasing the season’s final glory. In his opening match, Alcaraz faced Australia’s Alex de Minaur, a familiar opponent he’s never lost to. But Alcaraz isn’t too worried about de Minaur right now, with his eyes set on something else entirely. 

“As you said and as everybody knows, I’m fighting for not only the trophy but for the #1 as well,” Alcaraz shared post-game. “I’m just really happy with the way that I played today. I was focused on all my goals against someone like Alex, he’s really difficult to play against. I’m happy to get my first win and excited for what’s next.”

Well, Alcaraz had every right to be satisfied. He came in with a healthy 4-0 head-to-head over de Minaur, which has now been stretched to a dominant 5-0. But the scorecard seldom speaks the truth. As Alcaraz really had a hard time answering de Minaur’s vicious returns. Owing to such a gritty approach from the Aussie star, the first set went to a tiebreaker. It was only in the second set that the World No. 2 found his rhythm and won the match 7-6 (7-5), 6-2. And here’s why it could all feel like a message to Sinner. 

Alcaraz and Sinner aren’t just playing for the Tennis Finals trophy; they’re gunning for the year-end No. 1 ranking. According to the latest figures, Sinner holds the edge in the official rankings, but Alcaraz is creeping up fast in the Live Race to Turin. He entered the tournament leading the PIF-sponsored Live Race to Turin by 1,050 points and some sweet permutations: if he wins his three round-robin matches or reaches the final with even one group win, he can guarantee year-end No. 1 regardless of what Sinner does. Meanwhile, Sinner must deliver a spotless performance: win his group, win the semis and final, and hope Alcaraz slips up.

The win over de Minaur gave Alcaraz a solid start, but Turin presents more than just high-stakes opponents. The surface itself is proving to be a test. Conditions at the ATP Finals have often sparked debate, and this year is no different.

Carlos Alcaraz weighs in on Turin’s conditions

After landing in Italy, Alcaraz wasted no time getting familiar with the Pala Alpitour court, even hitting with Jannik Sinner during practice. Speaking to Marca, he was asked to compare the court in Turin to the one in Paris. “It depends on what we’re talking about: the stadium, the atmosphere on the track, the track speed,” Alcaraz said. “I think Paris and Turin are quite similar, perhaps one is slower than the other, but that’s within the normal range. Both are very beautiful.”

He then addressed his earlier struggles in Paris, particularly his surprising defeat to Cameron Norrie, explaining how the speed of the surface had caught him off guard. “My understanding of indoor tennis is that the courts are very fast,” he said. “So when a court is slower than usual, it feels strange. It was a bit slower than normal, but it was a speed I liked and that suited my style. The problem is that I didn’t adapt properly in that match.” Those reflections show just how even the most minor differences in pace or bounce can decide a set or even a tournament. And Alcaraz knows he cannot afford a slow start here.

His overall indoor record remains his weakest: 14 losses in 45 matches and just one title on this surface, at the Rotterdam Open earlier this year. He’s yet to make a real mark in Turin, exiting in the group stage last season and peaking at the semifinals in 2023. That makes this run more than a chance for redemption. If he’s to end the year as world No. 1, he’ll need to solve the indoor puzzle once and for all.