Seven-time year-end world No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia is not in contention for the coveted honor this week in Turin, but at the same time he is having an influence on the outcome.
By defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas on his debut, the 35-year-old ended the Greek’s chances to finish the year as No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. The two-time Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champion and 2019 Nitto ATP Finals champion needed to emerge as the unbeaten champion in Turin to end the year on top.
Rafael Nadal is now the only man who can stop 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz from setting a milestone as the youngest-ever year-end No. 1. After losing his first round-robin match to Taylor Fritz, Nadal must win his first season-ending tournament to finish as year-end No. 1 for the sixth time.
Even though Tsitsipas was left with no chance of reaching No. 1 for the first time this time around, he is hopeful that his day will eventually come.
“If I had won all my games, I would surely deserve the place. He was showing good performance and a lot of consistency,” he said. “But look, this isn’t really occupying my mind too much. I’m kind of excited to have the opportunity to do something this week that can give me a record, a personal record and a milestone.”
“I deeply believe that I can get to that place one day. I’m not in a big rush, to be honest. Of course, it would have been better if it happened this week.”
“I’m more here for a marathon. I see the bigger picture, the long term. I have many opportunities next year to play good tennis. If it comes, I will be very happy, my country will be very happy, my family will be happy.”
