As evening falls in Turin, the imposing Palazzo Reale awaits the eight gamers who, beginning on Sunday, shall be battling it out for the title on the Nitto ATP Finals. Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 2 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and debutant on the season-closing occasion, is making his method down a blue carpet surrounded by adoring followers. Though the second half of 2023 has not been pretty much as good to him as the primary, the two-time Grand Slam champion arrives within the Italian metropolis along with his thoughts set on rediscovering his A-game and difficult for the title.

“I’m anticipating the Carlos from early this 12 months, regardless of the outcomes I’ve had in current tournaments,” declared Alcaraz, whose triumph at Wimbledon was the final of the six titles he has claimed in 2023. “The defeat in Paris, which was fairly painful, made me realise that I’ve to work more durable,” he mentioned of the match he misplaced within the current ATP Masters 1000 towards Roman Safiullin.

“And that’s what I’ve achieved. You all the time should search for the optimistic in issues. I’ve had a number of days to coach to come back right here in optimum kind. I’ve labored arduous, on each health and tennis. I really feel actually good.”

After not going to Basel due to an irritation within the sole of his left foot and gluteal issues, Alcaraz bowed out within the first spherical in Paris-Bercy and needed to cope with an unfamiliar sensation: the hangover of a defeat.

“It was considered one of my few losses that lasted a number of days,” the Spaniard confessed. “I hardly wished to do something for a few days, however now we’re right here, at one of many largest tournaments in tennis,” he continued. “My group and I started working to verify I arrive in Turin at 100%.

“As I’ve proven, I’ve had just a few knocks, above all within the second a part of the 12 months, which has been very demanding,” the Spaniard defined. “We’ve tried to treatment them rigorously, to actually maintain them. We arrive right here in superb bodily situation, higher than I anticipated. We’re going to try to use that to our benefit and do in addition to attainable.”

With the battle to finish the season because the No. 1 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings virtually sewn up (Novak Djokovic solely wants one win), Alcaraz needs to make use of the relieved stress as a supply of motivation at a really particular occasion.

“I’d all the time mentioned that the combat to complete the 12 months as No. 1 was my important purpose,” he acknowledged. “Proper now, I’ve just about misplaced it, so it’s one thing I’ll attempt to use to my benefit. I’m not going to consider that, nearly being right here for my debut and having fun with it as a lot as attainable. It’s a present to be right here, though we’ve earned it.”

In bid to fine-tune his sport, Alcaraz skilled with Djokovic on Friday for nearly two hours, in a high-octane apply session.

“I’m not stunned how critically Djokovic takes apply as a result of he trains the way in which he performs, and there are not any secrets and techniques,” mentioned the Spaniard. “Apply makes excellent, and he’s virtually excellent. It’s not stunning he practises like that. With the way in which I’m, I attempt to inject some enjoyable into coaching and in matches. That serves me nicely. Each participant is exclusive.”

[2:39 PM] Andy West

Lastly, Alcaraz regarded again at his solely expertise on the Nitto ATP Finals. It got here in 2017, when he was enjoying in an Beneath-14 event, which he gained. He was significantly excited to get a glimpse of Federer in motion.

“I performed in an Beneath-14 occasion and I used to be fortunate sufficient to look at some matches in London. I bear in mind seeing considered one of Roger Federer’s matches… Now it’s my first time enjoying right here, so I’ll get pleasure from it as a lot as attainable.”

Alcaraz will make his debut on the Nitto ATP Finals on Monday towards Alexander Zverev.