The Serb, who is also the defending champion, currently shares the record of six wins with the Swiss Roger Federer. In addition, with a tournament win, Djokovic would have secured first place again at the end of the year. If he succeeds, he will set a new milestone on November 20th: he would be number one in the world for the 400th week on the day after the final.
If the tournament winner remains undefeated in the preliminary round, he will receive no less than 4.8 million dollars (4.47 million euros) in prize money. This is a record in tennis. Djokovic will play his opening game in the Green group on Sunday (9 p.m.) against the Dane Holger Rune, and Vienna winner Jannik Sinner (ITA) will meet Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) in this pool at 2:30 p.m.
Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane Novak Djokovic has been able to cuddle with the ATP Finals trophy six times in his great career
Alcaraz is struggling with his form
In contrast to last year, Djokovic’s supposedly biggest challenger, Carlos Alcaraz, is there this time. Alcaraz will play in the red group on Monday (2:30 p.m.) against Alexander Zverev (GER), and in the evening there will be the Russian duel between the two friends Daniil Medvedev and Andrei Rublew. Alcaraz missed the previous year due to an abdominal muscle injury.
However, the Spaniard, who is well behind Djokovic in the ranking with 1,490 points, has not won a title since his Wimbledon victory and has been disappointing so far in the fall. The low point was the second round exit against Roman Safiullin at the Masters 1000 tournament in Paris-Bercy, before that he failed in the round of 16 at the 1000 in Shanghai. At the dress rehearsal in Paris, Djokovic not only won his 40th Masters 1000 title but also self-confidence with his victory against surprise finalist Grigor Dimitrow.
Sinner and Medvedev as the first challengers
Based on their performances in the past few weeks, the two Vienna finalists are more likely to be placed in the Serb’s closest circle of challengers: Champion Sinner decided not to appear in the Paris round of 16, not least in favor of Turin, in order to protect himself. Medvedev, who was narrowly defeated in the town hall after a thrilling final, was eliminated at the Paris opener against Dimitrov. But the saved forces could also benefit the Russians.
AP/Heinz-Peter Bader Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev have the form to pose a threat to Novak Djokovic in Turin
The German Zverev and Neo-Becker’s protégé Rune only qualified at the last moment. For Zverev, who missed 2022 with an injury, just taking part in his comeback season is a great success. And Rune was a substitute last year as Paris champion, this time he is making his debut. Last year’s finalist Casper Ruud, however, missed qualifying for the season finals.
At least four of the eight participants have already won at least one title at the ATP Finals: Djokovic (6), Zverev (2), Tsitsipas (1) and Medvedev (1). The latter two, by the way, in 2019 and 2020 respectively after narrow final victories over Dominic Thiem, who was a tournament regular from 2016 to 2020, then still in London.
ATP-Finals in Turin
(Italien, 15 Mio. Dollar, Hardcourt/Indoor)
Green group
Schedule: Jannik Sinner (ITA/4) Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE/6) Sunday Novak Djokovic (SRB/1) Holger Rune (DEN/8) Sunday
Red group
Schedule: Carlos Alcaraz (ESP/2) Alexander Zverev (GER/7) Monday Daniil Medvedev (RUS/3) Andrej Rublew (RUS/5) Monday
2023-11-12 08:40:03
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