Carlos Alcaraz enters the ATP Finals carrying the status of tournament favorite despite never having won the season-ending championship.
The Spanish player arrives in Turin aiming to secure his first career title at the elite eight-man event.
Ben Shelton stands among the primary obstacles in the tournament draw after pushing Alcaraz to a closely contested final at the recent Paris Masters.
Alcaraz ultimately prevailed in that match by scores of 7-6 and 7-5, though the American challenger demonstrated the ability to pressure the top seed.
Shelton now competes with the added tactical backing of coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who recently joined the American’s team after years guiding Alcaraz.
The upcoming tournament could feature a first-ever meeting between Alcaraz and his former mentor from opposing benches.
Ferrero possesses intimate knowledge of Alcaraz’s tendencies from their long partnership, according to tennis figure Toni Nadal.
“Ferrero has been a great tennis player, but besides that, having spent so much time alongside Alcaraz, he will know how to hurt him,” Nadal told Diario Sport, as reported by LaSexta.
Nadal said that Shelton possesses extraordinary raw potential that requires greater tactical discipline on the court.
“I consider that Ben simply lacks some order in his game, because his potential is enormous,” Nadal said in the same interview.
The partnership between Shelton and Ferrero could pose a direct challenge to the sport’s leading players.
It will be an interesting season and we will see if Ben can put Alcaraz, Sinner and also Zverev in trouble, Toni stated.
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