Carlos Alcaraz is one step away from playing a new chapter of the modern classic against Jannik Sinner. The Spaniard continues to advance confidently at the ATP Finals and dreams of reaching the tournament’s final for the first time. He faces this challenge in his third attempt, after losing in the 2023 semifinals to Novak Djokovic. This time, he wants a different outcome. The road is not easy. The history of Spanish tennis in this event shows how difficult it is to lift this trophy.
Manolo Orantes opened the path in 1976. Àlex Corretja then reached an unforgettable final against Carlos Moyà in 1998. Later came the missed opportunities of Juan Carlos Ferrero and David Ferrer. The ATP Finals remained the one major title missing from Rafa Nadal’s resume, limited by the calendar and the indoor dominance of Djokovic and Federer. That legacy sits on Alcaraz’s shoulders, but it also fuels him.
A decisive moment for the Spanish star
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Murcian will fight for a spot in the final this Saturday against Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian arrives in great form. He defeated Alexander Zverev in a key match and secured qualification thanks to Djokovic’s win over Musetti. His indoor season includes a US Open semifinal run, a title in Brussels, and a final in Paris. His powerful serve and clean hitting make him a dangerous opponent.
Even so, their head-to-head favors Alcaraz 4-3, and the Spaniard has won their last four meetings. The most recent came at the Paris Games, with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory. That stat provides confidence, but the context now is different. Auger-Aliassime feels more comfortable indoors and on hard courts, and he has very little to lose.
The schedule adds another layer of debate. Sinner will play his semifinal at 14:30, while Alcaraz will compete at 20:30. The Spaniard addressed it honestly: “The less recovery time you have, the worse it gets. Recovery and rest time have a major impact on your ability to compete in top condition afterward.”
Sinner enters as the clear favorite in his half of the draw. The Italian excels indoors and will have the backing of 13,000 fans. He also holds twelve wins over Alex de Miñaur, today’s opponent. Everything indicates that he will advance without major problems.
Turin is waiting for a potential Chapter 16 of the Alcaraz–Sinner rivalry. Alcaraz just needs to take one more step.
