This year’s Road to the ATP Finals turned into a race for the last spot, with Felix Auger-Aliassime and Lorenzo Musetti locked in a fierce battle. Though Novak Djokovic won in Athens, Musetti’s luck played its part when Djoker shocked everyone by withdrawing from the Finals. That opened the door for the young Italian, and Carlos Alcaraz didn’t hide his preference, and he has his reasons to be relieved.

When Carlos Alcaraz was asked at the ATP Finals who he would have preferred between the two in his round-robin group, his answer was, “Well, obviously, someone like Novak being in the group is always tough. The experience he has in this tournament, the level he has on the indoor court, it’s quite good.” But that isn’t the only reason for Alcaraz to be excited about Djokovic’s withdrawal.

“I lost to him in 2023, and I played great. He killed me. To be honest, I prefer Lorenzo. I’m not going to lie,” the 22-year-old said before adding with a laugh. That match he referred to was the ruthless 6-3, 6-2 masterclass from Djokovic, which still lingers in memory. This season, however, the spotlight has shifted to Musetti, the artist with a racket who has turned potential into power.

The Italian has carved out his own chapter of brilliance in 2025, breaking into the top 10, reaching his first Masters 1000 final in Monte Carlo, and marching to a second Major semifinal at Roland Garros. On both of those big occasions, fate paired him with Alcaraz, and twice, the Spaniard stood in his way. Their last clash at the French Open ended in heartbreak for Musetti, forced to retire mid-battle with injury.

Even so, Alcaraz knows not to underestimate the 23-year-old he’s beaten six of seven times. Musetti may be the “preferred” opponent in jest, but the Spaniard clearly recognizes the threat he poses.

“If he’s there, he deserves it because of the level he has put on the matches, the tournaments he has done this year, and the level he showed this year,” Alcaraz said, his respect evident. “It was really, really high. Let’s see how he’s going to be, how he’s going to adapt. He’s coming from Athens, and he couldn’t feel the court at all. But I’m sure he’s going to do great, and let’s see how is going to be.”

Indeed, Musetti arrives in Turin riding a wave of momentum after a draining run to the Athens final. Fatigue may be a shadow, but opportunity burns brighter.

As the Italian opens his ATP Finals campaign against Taylor Fritz on Monday, the stage is already set for another Alcaraz-Musetti showdown later in the week, a duel that promises artistry, fire, and perhaps, redemption. 

Meanwhile, Alcaraz has already struck first blood, dismantling Alex de Minaur 7-6(5), 6-2 in his opening round-robin match, setting the tone for a tournament that’s already roaring with promise.

Carlos Alcaraz admits struggles with indoor conditions at ATP Finals

As the 2025 ATP Finals roared to life, the 22-year-old Spaniard stood in the spotlight with trademark honesty. Carlos Alcaraz, despite his brilliance, confessed that indoor courts remain a battlefield of unease for him. 

His record tells the story. 14 losses on indoor hard courts, a 68.9% win rate, and just one title, the Rotterdam Open, shining like a lone gem on his resume. Last year, he was candid about his struggles, admitting that others simply excel more in these enclosed arenas. At the Paris Masters, frustration spilled out when he quipped, “This is clay, it’s worse than in Monte Carlo.”

Now, fresh from a victorious start at the ATP Finals, Alcaraz peeled back the curtain on why the indoor game feels foreign. “Well, I’m Spanish, I’m from Murcia, where it’s sunny almost 365 days per year. Playing indoors for me is kinda weird, as I’m just not used to it, but I’m getting used to it,” he told Sky Sports.

Still, there’s beauty even in discomfort. Speaking of the spectacle that comes with indoor tournaments, he smiled, “The people are louder and the energy is even more, which is great. You can play with the lights in some situations, and it looks cool with the walk-ons and during the matches. It’s great, but I just have to get used to it.”

It’s a rare confession from a player who thrives on open skies and bright clay. Yet his tone carried both humility and hunger, the mark of a champion still learning his own limits.

Now, with the Finals underway, Alcaraz has his eyes set on ending the year as the conqueror of Turin. But as Jannik Sinner looms on the horizon, one question remains: can Alcaraz silence the noise within and master the indoors once and for all?