Alcaraz stages first Nitto ATP Finals comeback: 'A match can change at any moment'

Nitto ATP Finals

Alcaraz stages first Nitto ATP Finals comeback: 'A match can change at any moment'

The Spaniard is 2-0 in Jimmy Connors Group in Turin

Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour

Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to win his first Nitto ATP Finals title. By ATPTour.com/es Staff

For the first time in three appearances at the Nitto ATP Finals, Carlos Alcaraz has come back to win from a set down. He did so against Taylor Fritz in a demanding, almost three-hour clash that tested both his skills and his mental resilience. The victory leaves the Spaniard on the brink of the semi-finals, and mathematically, he is now one match short of ending the year as No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

The match provided several lessons, but one above all: Alcaraz has learned to dig deep in Turin. “A tennis match can change at any moment,” explained the 22-year-old. “When we’re on court, we don’t know what’s going to happen; we’re stuck in the present. If you’re not feeling good, you tend to think it’ll stay that way. From the outside, everything looks easier but ultimately, if you stick with it and keep doing the right thing, it always improves. Today I ended up playing much better.”

The turning point, according to the Spaniard, was the 14-minute game (at 2-3 in the second set) where he managed to hold his serve before breaking that of Fritz at the next time of asking. “That’s where the match changed,” he recognised.

As well as reacting to the win, Alcaraz provided a detailed analysis of some of the technical aspects that defined the encounter. Among them was his backhand down the line, a shot that he has frequently employed during his matches in Turin. “It’s something we’ve really been focusing on,” he explained.

“On not always being so predictable and hitting cross-courts but doing it at times when the opponent isn’t expecting it. It’s a shot where the opponent normally goes cross-court, and then I can hit a forehand, which is where I feel really comfortable. We’ve been working a lot on that, and I think it’s really bearing fruit at this tournament.”

It was his backhand down the line that allowed him to open up the court against a Fritz who was exceptionally solid from the baseline. But Alcaraz also recognised there were things he could do better, particularly on his serve. “I didn’t feel as comfortable as on day one against Alex, without a doubt,” he admitted.

“The serve is a very important weapon. It gives you a lot of confidence from the baseline, even with other shots. When you have a good percentage, you can freewheel more; when you don’t, it’s harder, particularly if your opponent pressures you with his return, like Fritz did. We tried to improve throughout the match, and I think it got a bit better, but it’s something we have to keep polishing every match,” he said.

The physical exertion was also evident. “It was a very demanding match, both physically and mentally,” he confessed. “Staying strong for three hours, trying not to get down, preventing your negative thoughts from outweighing the positive ones, is really demanding. In the end, you get really tired. I’ve also noticed the different conditions, not because of the court but because of the heat and the humidity. That really plays a big role in such a long match.”

He explained that his team is now fully focused on his recovery for the final group match. “Recovering is hard, but we have a day to spare. We’ll try to do everything perfectly, to the millimetre, in order to be in good shape for the final match, which is very important.”

The win over Fritz not only means Alcaraz tops his group, but it also leaves him just one step away from finishing the year as No. 1 for the second time in his career. However, the Spaniard does not want any added pressure. “It’s really amazing and a clear goal I’ve had from the start of the year,” he admitted.

“But we try not to think too much about the number one because it can affect you if you place too much importance on it. You can feel added pressure at the start of the match or struggle to handle the nerves. If I manage it, it’ll be really significant and really amazing, above all, competing with Jannik (Sinner), who is much more consistent and always stays at such a high level. But we prefer to focus on the tournament and playing good indoor tennis, which isn’t something I’m really used to,” he said.

With two wins in Turin under his belt and, above all, feeling that he has matured competitively, Alcaraz is approaching the end of the group stage with a mix of relief and ambition. He has learned to dig his heels in, he has learned to wait for his time, and, above all, he has proved that he has the grit it takes to turn things around when he is against a wall – even indoors, where he used to feel uncomfortable.

“Today I’ve proved that I can hang in there even when I don’t make a good start,” he concluded. “That gives me a lot of confidence going forward.”

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