Alcaraz Glad to Face Musetti, Not Djokovic at Finals

Carlos Alcaraz made a strong start at the ATP Finals with a straight-set win over Australian Alex de Minaur, securing a 7-6(5), 6-2 victory in his opening round-robin match. The Spanish top seed, who had lost his first match in his previous two appearances at the season-ending event, looked relieved to finally begin the tournament with a win. “I’m just really, really happy with the level I played today,” Alcaraz said. “First matches are never easy, so this one means a lot.”

The win marked Alcaraz’s first-ever opening victory at the ATP Finals. He admitted that after the match, he realized how much the moment meant to him. “After the match, I realized this was my first win in the round-robin on the first day,” he said proudly. His confidence and form appeared solid as he dominated crucial points against De Minaur, especially in the second set.

Alcaraz’s relief grew further when he learned that seven-time ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic had withdrawn from the tournament due to injury. The Serbian’s late withdrawal came only hours after beating Lorenzo Musetti in Athens. This change meant that Musetti, an Italian player, would replace Djokovic in the group stage, joining Alcaraz in the Jimmy Connors Group alongside Taylor Fritz.

When asked about facing Musetti instead of Djokovic, Alcaraz did not hide his feelings. “To be honest, I prefer Lorenzo. I’m not going to lie,” he said with a smile. He explained that Djokovic’s experience and skill indoors make him one of the toughest opponents in the world. “Someone like Novak being in the group is always tough,” Alcaraz said. “I lost to him in 2023 when I thought I was playing great, and he still destroyed me.”

Musetti, just 23 years old, got his first chance to play in the ATP Finals thanks to Djokovic’s withdrawal. Although he lost to Djokovic in a nearly three-hour match in Athens, he was next in line to qualify and accepted the late call-up. Unlike Alcaraz, however, Musetti had no time to train on the indoor court at Turin’s Inalpi Arena before the tournament began.

Despite expressing relief about not facing Djokovic, Alcaraz praised Musetti’s skills and achievements. “If he’s there, he deserves it,” Alcaraz said. “He has shown great level in tournaments this year. Let’s see how he adapts because he just arrived from Athens and hasn’t felt the court yet.” The Spaniard recognized that the Italian’s smooth style and quick hands could still be dangerous indoors.

Musetti himself commented on the unusual timing of Djokovic’s withdrawal. He said that while everything was within ATP rules, it was a bit surprising that Djokovic played a tournament so close to the Finals. “I think the strange situation was that he was playing literally the week before the Masters,” Musetti said. “When he told me at the net after the match that he was not coming, honestly, we laughed about it.”

The event in Athens where Djokovic played before withdrawing is owned by his family. It has been hosted in both Athens and previously in Belgrade, his hometown. While Djokovic’s decision raised questions among fans, Musetti clarified that he saw nothing improper. “He was completely within the ATP rules,” he said, emphasizing that Djokovic’s choice to play was personal.

With Djokovic out, Alcaraz’s path to finish the year as world number one looks clearer. To achieve this, he must reach the final with at least one round-robin win or sweep all three group matches. His aggressive and consistent form in Turin could help him accomplish that goal.

Next, Alcaraz will face Taylor Fritz and Lorenzo Musetti in the remaining group matches. With one win already secured, he enters these matches with growing confidence. Fans in Turin are eager to see if the 21-year-old can claim his first ATP Finals trophy and end the season on a high note.