It’s November, which means the tennis world turns its eyes to the ATP Finals, currently being held in Turin.
It’s a unique event where only the top eight singles players qualify and where the year-end No.1 ranking is often decided.
The mix of youth and experience in this season’s elite group, and the dramatic fashion in which the final places were filled, has set the stage for a thrilling event.
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur had all booked their spots well in advance of yesterday’s start.
However, the eighth and final place was up for grabs until late Saturday night when Djokovic appeared to have snuffed out Lorenzo Musetti’s hope of making a debut at the prestigious event in his home country.
Musetti went into the last week’s ATP 250 in Athens needing to win the event to overtake Felix Auger-Aliassime and claim the final place in Turin.
After an enthralling three hour tussle in the final versus Djokovic, the GOAT prevailed - Musetti had been denied.
But in a cruel twist of fate, Djokovic was forced to withdraw from the Finals with a shoulder injury, handing Musetti back the place which he had snatched from him just moments before.
The groups for the round-robin stage were finally set. Jimmy Connors Group features Alcaraz, Fritz, de Minaur and Musetti (in place of Djokovic).
While Bjorn Borg Group contains Sinner, Zverev, Shelton and Auger-Aliassime.
Will the reigning champ, Sinner go back-to-back, or will Alcaraz crash his plans to claim his first year-end title?
Will the experience of previous winner, Zverev shine through, or will debutants Shelton or Musetti rise to the occasion?
As far as the prestigious year-end No.1 ranking goes, it is a two-horse race between Alcaraz and Sinner.
The pair have dominated the tour for the past two seasons, equally sharing the spoils of the past eight Grand Slam tournaments.
With both of their points tallies double that of third-ranked Zverev, no one is even close to threatening these two for the top spot.
Based on recent form, many would make a similar claim about the other players’ chances of lifting the trophy in Turin.
Alcaraz, still only 22, continues to astound with his blend of raw athleticism, fearless shot-making and a mentality that belongs to someone ten years his senior.
He has been the most consistent performer across all surfaces and was the first to qualify for Turin – an achievement that by itself reflects his early-season dominance.
Then there’s Sinner. After his breakthrough win at Wimbledon and a string of deep runs throughout the hardcourt swing, the Italian chased down Alcaraz and regained the World No.1 ranking with victory at the recent Paris Masters.
What was once looking like Alcaraz’s season has quickly turned into a fierce battle to the end, with Sinner’s home-court advantage in Turin adding extra spice to the mix.
Form and confidence is everything at this level.
As the saying goes, “You’re only as good as your last match.”
Sinner’s most recent result could not have prepared him better for this week’s contest.
Alcaraz, on the other hand, following his early exit in Paris and the loss of his No.1 ranking, may be questioning whether he has what it takes to overcome the resurgent Sinner at this very moment.
To add to Alcaraz’s challenges, the crowd support for Sinner could be a significant factor should the contest go down to the wire.
It is a blow to the event to be missing the GOAT.
It would have been fascinating to see what Djokovic could have mustered to disrupt the duopoly Sinner and Alcaraz have formed.
Although his season lacked the machine-like efficiency we once took for granted, he still featured in the semi-finals of all four Slams this year, and at 38 is still punching well above his weight.
In previous years Djokovic arrived at the ATP Finals as the hunted.
This time he would have been the hunter, hoping to salvage his status with perhaps one last charge.
We hope to see him back next year.
Outside the top two, the ATP Finals provide a career-defining opportunity for the players.
Zverev, perhaps the greatest player to have never won a Slam, knows how to win here and he would love to remind everyone that his best tennis is still championship-worthy.
Shelton, Musetti, de Minaur and Fritz will be making either debuts or rare appearances and will view every match as a chance to make a statement.
But in terms of legacy, it’s Alcaraz and Sinner who have the most to gain, or lose. It would take a brave person to bet against a Sinner/Alcaraz final.
At the end of a long, gruelling season, when bodies are tired and minds even more so, the final test isn’t just physical. It’s a measure of belief.
Whoever ends the year on top will have earned more than ranking points - they will have claimed the season as their own.
While the Big Three still loom large in history, 2025 belongs to the new kings of the court. And in Turin, only one can wear the crown.
Coach’s Tip: Confidence through preparation
Confidence doesn’t come from hype or hope - it comes from preparation.
Players like Sinner exude confidence not just because they’re winning, but because they’ve put in the work and seen the results.
If you’re struggling with nerves or doubt on court, ask yourself: Am I really prepared for this match? That doesn’t just mean hitting a thousand balls in practice.
It means training under pressure, playing practice sets, and simulating match conditions.
Confidence is built when you expose yourself to the very situations that make you uncomfortable, until they no longer do.
So next time you train, push yourself into competitive drills and high-stakes points.
The more familiar those moments become, the more your confidence will grow. See you on the court!
Dan Barrie is the tennis director at Bahrain Tennis Academy and is a Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) elite professional.
Connect with him via Instagram on @bahrain_tennis_academy.
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